Samantha Fish – Bulletproof Tour

Where – Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

When – Sunday 13^th October 24

Support from – The Zac Schulze Gang

Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott

If you’ve not heard of Samantha Fish yet, where have you been? She launched her recording career in 2009 and established herself as a rising star in the contemporary blues world. The charismatic singer-guitarist-songwriter has earned a reputation as a guitar hero and a powerful live performer, while releasing a series of acclaimed albums that have shown her restless creative spirit consistently pushing her in new, exciting, and often unexpected musical directions.

It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to see her play live on her tour of the UK before she heads off around Europe and back to the States where she will headline RUF records 30^th anniversary tour, who are a label that is dedicated to promoting and shaping the future of blues music.

Playing at Queens Hall, Edinburgh, which started its life as a chapel, Samantha says “I am thrilled to tour the UK, because the audiences are incredible.”

But before Samantha takes to the stage there is the pleasure of her support act for the evening in the shape of the blues rock trio, The Zac Schulze Gang, who are from Gillingham, in England and who have been together for around four years. Consisting of front man Zac Schulze, bassist Ant Greenwell and drummer Ben Schulze they bring something different to the table of blues rock music as they blend funk to punk and everything in between to create their own musical blend.

The band have been nominated multiple times in both the 2023 and 2024 UK Blues Awards, winning the UK Blues Emerging Band of the Year award for 2024. With a host of singles, an EP and the ‘Live and Loud’ live album behind them as well as a debut studio album on the horizon in 2025, The Zac Schulze Gang are setting up to be a future powerhouse of their genre.

The trio delivered a dynamic 30-minute set, blending bluesy rock covers such as ‘Walking the Dog’ by Rufus Thomas and ‘She Does It Right’ by Dr Feelgood with their own original songs, leaving the packed room buzzing with energy. Their music filled the space with infectious beats, with the audience being fully engaged from start to finish. Their recent release, ‘Woman,’ is a standout track that not only has fantastic vocals, but it also highlights the bands impressive musicianship. The bass player took over lead vocals for one song, adding variety and depth to their performance that was impressive to say the least.

By the end of the set, the crowd’s enthusiasm was tangible, with many people around me expressing excitement about the band, who had undoubtedly won over a whole new wave of fans with their glorious performance.

Set List

Laundromat (Rory Gallagher)
Woman (new single: Zac original song)
Walking the Dog (Rufus Thomas)
She Does It Right (Dr Feelgood)
Hole in My Pocket
*Unnamed New Song* (Zac original)
Dry Spell (Cinelli Brothers)
Ballyshannon Blues and Messing with the Kid/Oh Well (Rory Gallagher/Fleetwood Mac)

What a great start to the night from the guys.

Video for latest single ‘Woman,’ released on 11^th October

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Samantha then takes to the stage with her band and from the moment she strikes the first chord on her guitar, she exudes a hypnotic energy that draws everyone in. Her voice is both sultry and powerful, mesmerising the audience as she effortlessly belts out song after song, each one more enthralling than the last.

Her mastery of the guitar is unparalleled, and with each new song, she switches instruments, delivering a fresh and formidable performance every time. Her guitar playing is as fluid and dynamic as her voice, weaving a spell over the audience that leaves them completely entranced. As she plays, the crowd responds enthusiastically, cheering and clapping to her music and joining in with the chorus when she commands it.

Her band, play with a level of ease and professionalism that perfectly complements Samantha as they work their way through the set. Together, they produce a rich sound that is appreciated by everyone gathered in the room, which creates a feeling that each musician is contributing to the overall magic of the performance.

At one point in the show, the band exits the stage, leaving Samantha to perform a solo under the dimmed lights, just her and her guitar. Her vocals are hauntingly beautiful, filling the space with a raw quality that echoes around the venue.

Her gutsy, passionate approach to both her music and her performance style is what sets her apart. She has an incredible vocal range, capable of reaching soaring highs and rich, deep tones, all with equal intensity. The venue, with its high ceilings only amplifies the perfection of her voice, with the acoustics enhancing every note she sings.

Singing and playing songs such as, ‘Bulletproof’ and her latest single ‘I Put A Spell On You’ had me transfixed to the spot in awe, as Samantha sang effortlessly with power and spirit, what an absolutely stunning performance. There wasn’t a bad song from the beginning to the very end, as she commands the stage with a seductive allure that holds me and the rest of the audience.

This concert was more than just a showcase of her vocal talent; it was a masterclass in musicality. Every note, every strum, and every lyric was delivered with precision and passion, leaving the audience exhilarated.

Samantha believes her musical future is an open road. “I’m never going to be a traditional blues artist, because that’s not who I am, I’m never going to do Muddy Waters better than Muddy Waters, so I try to be who I am, and in doing that, I find my best voice.”

Samantha Fish is one of a kind, and one, that if you like bluesy rock music delivered with breathtaking and impressive professionalism, you must see live.

Set List

Kick Out The Jams

Better Be Lonely

Kill Or Be Kind

Watch It Die

Chills and Fever

Bulletproof

Miles To Go

Jim Lee

Somebody’s

PO Mattie

Spell On You