The Tea Party Storms London Music Hall on Black River Tour

The rock power trio is still alive and well, thanks to Windsor rockers The Tea Party. The band, which has been performing for nearly 30 years, pulled into London for a stunning performance at London Music Hall on April 1, 2019.

The band’s latest tour is called Black River after their latest single of the same name, which guitarist and lead vocalist Jeff Martin told the crowd reached number two on Canada’s Billboard Rock chart thanks to their support.

When The Tea Party stepped out onto the dimly lit stage, the audience was ready to rock and Martin and company didn’t disappoint. Launching into The River from 1993’s Splendor Solis, fans could tell this was a special show with a band that’s excited and hungry. Midway through the song the boys transitioned into a little Zeppelin via the famous riffs of Dazed And Confused and climaxed with Tool’s Sober.

Throwing in a few bars of a song from one of their musical heroes is a common occurrence at a Tea Party show; during Heaven Coming Down, they played a few bars from U2’s With Or Without You, prompting the crowd to sing along. Martin called it Tea Party Karaoke.

Jeff Burrows not only sounded phenomenal, but looked great on a new orange acrylic DW drum kit designed just for this tour. All three bandmates and long-time friends looked as if they were enjoying themselves.

The 12-song set leaned heavily on songs from their first three albums, much to the delight of the crowd. At one-point, Martin told the concert goers that this would be their last show in London, drawing some audible gasps and groans. He then let out a cheerful “April Fools” to the delight of the crowd.

He also mentioned that the band is approaching their 30^th anniversary next year and they hope to keep doing this for a few more years. With no RUSH or Triumph out there anymore to give us our Canadian power trio fix, let’s hope he’s right.

Opening for The Tea Party was Winnipeg Manitoba’s The Proud Sons, a powerful self proclaimed Roots Rock and Country Roll band. They’re a Black Crows meets The Eagles type of band that blends soulful four part harmonies and rocking guitars. They rocked a great energetic set.

The band performs in their hometown of Windsor, ON on April 18.

All photos by Dan Boshart

The Tea Party