Kiefer Sutherland w/ Colin Andrew @ Tramshed, Cardiff - 22/5/26

Kiefer Sutherland delivers a gritty, straight-talking Americana live set in Cardiff

It is late spring in Cardiff and I hear that there is a new sheriff in town along with new deputies. Sheriff ‘Jack Bauer’ and his ‘Lost Boys’ are in town tonight… All jokes aside, the Tramshed in Cardiff is blessed to be hosting actor and musician Kiefer Sutherland tonight who returns to the stage with the highly anticipated ‘Love Will Bring You Home’ Tour, marking his first full tour since 2024 following a period of filming commitments across major motion picture projects. The tour also supports the forthcoming release of Sutherland’s fourth studio album, Grey, scheduled for release on 29th May 2026. 

Irish singer-songwriter Colin Andrew is the support act for tonight and he is no stranger to this billing, having supported Sutherland on the last tour in 2024. The man from Kerry delivers a great 30-minute session – his songs are upbeat and up-tempo and he engages splendidly with the Welsh audience, paying homage to the Stereophonics by covering ‘Handbags and Gladrags’, a song that peaked at number three in Ireland. Colin has a great ability to connect with the audience, blending highly addictive melodies with genuine Irish charm – there was plenty of humour woven into the intervals between his songs, especially the one about his girlfriend and her ultimatum that she would break up with him unless he sold more t-shirts on the tour – no pressure Cardiff, no pressure at all.

There is always a certain level of curiosity when a globally recognised actor steps onto a concert stage. Audiences arrive wondering whether the music will feel authentic or whether the performance is simply a celebrity side project dressed up as a tour. In the case of Kiefer Sutherland, those doubts disappear by the end of the night.  The venue itself suits the atmosphere perfectly. Intimate enough to create a sense of connection yet large enough to generate real energy, it allows every lyric and guitar line to land with clarity. Before Sutherland even appears, the audience is buzzing with anticipation. Some are clearly longtime fans of his acting career while others appear to be dedicated followers of Americana and country-rock music. I even spot come Iron Maiden and Soundgarden t-shirts amongst the audience. What unites us all is curiosity and by the end of the night, admiration.

From the moment he arrives on stage, guitar strapped low and dressed in understated rock-and-roll simplicity, it becomes clear that this is not an actor pretending to be a musician. This is a seasoned performer delivering songs rooted in storytelling, hard-earned experience and genuine passion. Opening with ‘Down Below’ from the latest album, Sutherland immediately establishes the tone for the evening. His voice, rough-edged and weathered in the best possible way, carries a believable emotional weight that many technically stronger singers often lack. There is an authenticity in his delivery that fits the genre perfectly. He does not oversing or try to impress vocally; instead he leans into the grit and vulnerability of the material. There is no moment to spare as Sutherland and the band break into Garbage’s ‘Only Happy When It Rains’ which receives a wild applause from the audience and everyone is swaying from side to side.

The next track is ‘Goodbye California’, a single from the latest album and Sutherland expands on the track a little, explaining that he wrote the song as a fond farewell to California after living there for over 30 years, the song a tribute to the place that made a young mans dream come true – this is core Sutherland style, showcasing his storytelling approach that marks his transition from screen legend to music frontman. Another track from the new album, ‘Come Back Down’, according to Sutherland, is his personal favourite song that he has ever written. The track is a slow-tempo ballad, backed by a prominent pedal-steel guitar courtesy of CJ Hillman, and the audience receive it quite well albeit this being the first time we are being treated to it. Before playing another new track, ‘American Farmer’, Sutherland expresses that this song is a direct response to his move from California to the US East Coast, where he personally witnessed the economic and political hardships endured by agricultural workers and dedicates this track to the independent, hardworking farming communities toiling and struggling to keep their livelihoods afloat.

The backing band deserves enormous credit for elevating the performance throughout the evening. Tight without feeling mechanical, they create a rich musical backdrop that provides the songs momentum and emotional texture. The lead guitarist, Ashley Wilson, is especially impressive, weaving melodic flourishes through the set while never overpowering the songs themselves. The rhythm section maintains everything grounded with a steady, confident groove that allows Sutherland’s vocals and lyrics to remain front and centre. Sutherland’s stage presence deserves special mention. He carries the confidence of someone comfortable in front of an audience but avoids the exaggerated theatrics often associated with crossover performers. His interactions feel relaxed, natural and honest. There is an easy charm to him that translates perfectly in a live setting, particularly in smaller venues like the Tramshed where personality matters as much as musicianship.

The setlist is well-paced, featuring singles from the up-coming album as well as favourites from previous albums, balancing energetic country-rock numbers with slower ballads and reflective moments. This dynamic prevents the performance from becoming repetitive and allows the emotional highs and lows to unfold naturally. By the time the encore arrives, the audience clearly want more. High-energy favourites like ‘Two Stepping In Time’ gets the loudest reactions from the audience and the energy on ‘This is How It’s Done’ is nothing short of that depicted in the black and white video of the song. ‘Down In A Hole’, ‘Friday Night’ and ‘Agave’ deliver the goods and the audience join in with rambunctious adulation shortly after which Sutherland and the band leave to shortly return for the encore. And what an encore it is – an epic, show-stopping cover of Phil Collins’ ‘In The Air Tonight’ followed by ‘Starlight’ where Wilson takes us on a riff frenzied journey, the sold-out audience mightily applauding his skill.

For anyone still skeptical about actors crossing into music, this concert serves as a convincing reminder that authenticity matters far more than background. Kiefer Sutherland proves himself to be not only a credible musician but also a genuinely engaging live performer capable of commanding a room through sincerity, storytelling and sheer presence. What makes Kiefer Sutherland particularly compelling as a live performer is his commitment to storytelling. Every song feels lived-in, there are tracks about heartbreak, regret, travel, redemption and resilience which are delivered with the conviction of someone who understands the roads he is singing about. Rather than presenting polished country-pop, Sutherland and his band embrace a raw Americana sound full of Southern rock influences, blues textures and classic bar-room energy.

By the end of the night, the applause feels less like polite appreciation for a famous name and more like genuine recognition for a musician who has earned the audience’s respect. It is a warm, soulful and surprisingly affecting evening of live music, one that left many in the audience likely eager to see him again.