Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs @ The Bronson
Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs hit Ottawa with bluesy and groovy sounds that would not quit!
Mike Campbell and The Dirty Knobs, with the very special guest Shannon McNally, played at The Bronson in Canada’s Capital.
McNally started off the night with everything we needed, a guitar and Shannon herself. Sharing her raw talent with the audience and warming our hearts with her impressive communication skills. Not only speaking French to the audience, but speaking Québécois French. Sharing stories of her life on the road, inspiration for her songs, and sharing what her songs may have transformed into over the years, Shannon owned that stage and our hearts along the way!
The staged was loaded with talented musicians, all who have been pivotal in the music scene over the decades. With Mike front and centre, The Bronson stood and cheered for the group representing so much for so many.
The music was fantastic. Kicking off the first leg of their tour, the band sounded so cohesive, naturally flowing, with groove and humour all throughout. You could feel how much the members loved to play, loved to be on stage with one another, and had a deep admiration for each other as musicians in their other works and as bandmates in The Dirty Knobs. Opening up with “So Alive” Dirty Knobs music to playing classic Petty because “he knows how to play the songs right" gave the audience a glimpse into the wonderful world of past, present and future. Even a special treat, The Knobs played an unreleased song, set to be out the next day. A tear came to the eyes of many when Mike said “that’s one’s for Tom” when playing the deep cut Heartbreakers song “Hometown Blues”.
We had the absolute honour of not only bare witness to a legendary member and cowriter of many songs by The Heartbreakers, but also members of major influential musical groups. Vital musicians like Lance Morrison, Chris Holt, and Steve Feronne who received a standing ovation when being introduced to the audience. The one and only Shannon McNally came on stage to join the band for a few songs. The audience also sang along to tunes like “Fuck that Guy” a fun and playful tune with a lot of sentiment behind it. Wrapping up the night with a Righteous Brothers cover “Little Latin Lupe Lu” , the guitars were wailing giving us an experience like no other.
Groovy, loud, rock n roll had everyone bopping their heads into the groove and blues rock sounds. The night was the result of musicians who have been doing their thing, shown what they can do over and over again, and love sharing each of these moments with their fans in the audience. It was an incredible night.
June 2025