The Duke And The King

New York-based revivalist folk-soul band The Duke & The King drop into the Union Chapel for the London leg of their UK tour. Named after the travelling con-artists in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Duke & The King were founded by Simone 'Duke of Galilee' Felice (of The Felice Brothers) and Robert 'Chicken' Burke, and contain an ever-changing rabble of musical sidekicks, including Nowell 'The Deacon' Haskins, Simi Stone and someone who goes by the name of The Reverend Lovejoy (surely a nod to The Simpsons). Since the release of their debut album in 2009, The Duke & The King have garnered a barrage of international acclaim, earning comparisons to some of pop history's most hallowed acts, from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to Smokey Robinson, Donovan, Sly & the Family Stone and Simon & Garfunkel. "A rare, fiery brilliance" says The Guardian, while The Telegraph praises "songs so perfectly formed they might have been around forever". It's fitting that this "utterly devastating live" band are bringing their "gorgeous and painful, yet warm, country-soul sound" (Q) to the Union Chapel of all venues: Felice and Burke speak of being on a mission from God while the close-knit community vibe of the band has echoes of a religious cult. Expect a load of high-fives, Amens and audience participation in what should be a moving spectacle.