HUEY MORGAN + OUR MAN IN THE FIELD – CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON 20.10.26
Huey Morgan, formerly the frontman of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals (FLC) is back with his own band bringing us those timeless hits under the moniker ‘The Fun Lovin Criminal’.
Now this is not Huey’s first rodeo on the solo front, back in 2012 we had Huey & The New Yorkers, which produced the album ‘Say It To My Face’. However Huey’s focus over the recent years more drifted into his media work, his 17 years at the BBC included his awesome 6music Saturday morning radio show, along with stints on Radio 2 and a BBC documentary series in 2020 called ‘Huey Morgan’s Latin Music Adventure’. And as of the start of 2026 he has jumped to Virgin Radio, which gives us double the Huey action with shows on Saturday and Sunday, both really showing the diversity and range of Huey’s musical loves and tastes.
This will be my first time catching Huey play. Sadly FLC went on hiatus and the tour I had tickets for back in 2021 was cancelled, however I did get to catch him at his block party DJ show at Lewes Con Club just a few weeks before the tour was due to start. Needless to say, as you may have guessed I’m a bit of a fan, with all of the FLC and his New Yorker output nestled safely in my CD collection. I get the vibe that after all those years out of the live game, Huey is really ramped up and enjoying playing again, so this 13 date tour is going to be one to remember.
So just who are the band, we have Adrian Gautrey on keys, looking like a prog god wizard with his crazy long hair and beard, we have Ben Gonzalez aka Bengo Zales on the drums. On the bass guitar we have a well dressed gentleman called “Simply.. The King” as Huey put it, King has links with Huey and played previously as part of his New Yorkers band, he is also godfather to Huey’s kids. The band is completed with Mateo DiFontaine playing a mix of keyboard, turntables, sound effects and horns; again he is another linked with FLC and often works with Huey. He is also a DJ and had that additional duty tonight, warming up the crowd for 30 minutes before each set.
And that is exactly how we kicked off at 9:00pm, following all sorts of classic hip-hop and rap from Mateo’s DJ set, Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York New York’ came on and while we were all encouraged to sing along, the band took to the Concorde 2 stage. Huey with his cap and shades on, sang along too, before saying “Hello, God bless you and let’s have a little fun baby”.
The tour is billed as the 30th anniversary celebration of the FLC album ‘Come Find Yourself’, so I am eagerly anticipating to hear most, if not all of it during the set. Hence it came as no surprise the first song of the night was ‘The Fun Lovin’ Criminal’ a true rousing start to the set, Huey’s guitar sounding real mean, the Hammond organ keys from Adrian gave the song a whole new vibe, all very familiar, but this new band really bring extra zazz.
“I tell you, it’s nice to be out doing this for a change” said Huey, continuing “what I am impressed about is, I was here years and years ago, but they still let me back, that must mean we made a connection, so thank you for having me”. ‘Back On The Block’ followed, it was a nice cool chilled song from the FLC ‘100% Colombian’ album, and I think that is the beauty of a lot of FLC songs, a lot of them are very chilled and slower, very easy to digest and groove to.
Huey introduced the next song, talking about “over the past 30 years, we have all made connections” and he thinks back to himself as a kid learning the guitar, making those connections, and that he was happy to see young people here tonight in the crowd and hoped they would enjoy it. And with the tongue in his cheek he said “that he wasn’t at all talking about himself when I wrote” ‘Passive/Aggressive’, a song of two half, maintaining the cool vibes, the vocals mostly rapped, then kicking into the guitar half way through.
After the bluesy number ‘Bear Hug’, the next song was introduced as Huey reminisced back to the days of young Huey getting out of the Marine Corp “One of things I didn’t appreciate at the time is that, sometimes things can be as good as it gets and in hindsight everything is 20/20 and this is ‘The Grave And The Constant”’. This kicked off a run of three more songs from the album we were here to celebrate, such cool vibes, another of my favourites from back in the day.
The next song was named after what was said when you hook your parachute line on a plane ready to jump, there is no going back and before you jump they say “Smoke ‘Em’ if you got ‘em”, so they lit up their ciggies and jumped. Another song oozing with a lovely bass line, Huey’s gravelly slow rap lyrics over the top, a good meaty drum beat, what more could you want, lots of slow bobbing and nodding was going on in the crowd, we then had a “hell yeah” and fine guitar solo from Huey.
Huey did a joke rant about the local graffiti “two colours at most, subject matter petty, maybe we can find some more colour in your graffiti and be less petty”. Bassist King did a hand movement to the sound of someone shaking up a spray can and Huey’s guitar raged into the start of ‘Bombin’ The L’, a nice lively one to get the crowd bouncing.
The band were all introduced lovingly with a comical twist by Huey before we had what would be the most recent song in the set ‘How It Be’ from the 2005 FLC album ‘Livin In The City’, a heavy guitar start leading into a far slower paced song, a softer vocal from Huey, it was mega calming and dreamy. Huey had some crowd interaction going getting everyone singing back.
Huey told us he was going to channel his inner Mark Hamill for the next couple, as he wrote a song and it had a sequel. The song was ‘King Of New York’ which got a massive cheer from the crowd; it sounded like the crowd loved this one just as much as I do. The sequel Mark Hamill style was ‘The View Belongs To Everyone’. These songs are just class, quality followed by yet more quality.
Someone shouted out “I love your Virgin Radio show” whilst Huey was switching guitars, Huey thanked him saying “he was not a plant”, he said he “appreciates it bringing a lot of people who didn’t know what I did to this”, joking they only knew him from his radio shows. Which led nicely into the title track of the album ‘Come Find Yourself’, a gentle but funky song, the crowd bobbed slowly once more.
We were introduced to the next song ‘Up On The Hill’ with a joke from Huey about “Porto Rican Buddhism”, such a silky smooth song, one I happily play at home on repeat. “It’s nice to be playing in a place where they get the jokes and don’t throw shit at you…..yeah I’ve been to France…what too soon” Huey joked, someone in the crowd shouted “too close you mean” which had Huey laugh out loud.
The guitars fired up as the sample from ‘Pulp Fiction’ rang out, yeah it was time for ‘Scooby Snacks’, a definite crowd pleaser which had pretty much the entire audience singing the chorus. This modern day live rendition is a fair bit more beefed up and had Mateo scratching on his decks. It certainly livened up the crowd with Huey saying “wow, man, you are getting going huh, the shits kicking in”. He thanked the crowd again, “knowing that we all have to book things in advance, plan ahead, get permission, get the baby sitter”, joking even he has to do the same.
Another stone cold classic followed with ‘Love Unlimited’ with a throbbing base line like a heartbeat pumped throughout, the organ played, the drums pounded, that rhythm and Huey’s vocals just so on point, the crowd again all singing along.
By this point some of the crowd were getting a bit confident in shouting out requests or random stuff, Huey joked, that tonight was about celebrating the first record, and he needs to play as much of that as he can what with it being billed along those lines, saying “if I’m one thing I’m punctual and if it’s two things I’m accurate”. He then told us a story about how he had an accident and cut the tendon in his little finger, the doctors said to straighten it, he refused otherwise he wouldn’t be able to play the guitar, but now he just pokes himself in the eye when he washes his face. It was back to the slower and cool with ‘I Can’t Get With That’, but another one that really ramps up with the guitars and heavier drumming as it goes on, Huey held up his bent finger at the end.
To the slow background church like sermon organ from Adrian, Huey told us “I’m bringing you this song on a silver platter of possibilities, It’s Tuesday, you are standing upright, it’s about 20 past ten, can’t you see baby, all the possibilities that you can be”, Mateo kicked in some funky beats and we were into ‘Big Night Out’, which had a big sing-along and arms waving back and forth in the air. Then with that we were thanked for coming and the band left the stage.
The crowd called on for one more song, chants of “Huuueeey, Huuuueeey” rang out. The band of course came back for an encore, Huey joked the call backs were weak and ran out steam half way through and it maybe being an age thing as they had to take their time coming back, but with the guitar strapped back on, he decreed “Let’s get this party started if you still got the steps in you, we’ll consider it cardio” and started it did, kicking off with the lively ‘Korean Bodega’.
Much to the pleasure of some people near me who had been shouting all night for ‘Methadonia’ it now got its play. Huey said it’s the quiet one of the album and one the record label did not really want as he described what inspired the song, but he was pleased they managed to get it on in the end, it went down very well with the crowd tonight.
The next song was probably the song of the set that a large part of the crowd were not familiar with, it was called ‘Shaniqua’, Huey introduced the song saying he wrote it when he was 13 and was written to impress a girl. He hinted that it would be on his upcoming solo album that he is recording with “these cats” gesturing towards the band, however I am already familiar with it as it was on his Huey & The New Yorkers on the ‘Say It To My Face’ album from 2012, it was a lovely gentle, slow number, Adrian came off his organ for this and was on guitar. This much like the previous got really respectful applause from the crowd.
And now we had sadly reached the end, Huey thanked everyone and said very genuinely that it really was reciprocated by him and the band and that ‘We Have All The Time In The World’, yes the classic John Barry & Hal David song famously sung by Louis Armstrong, but also a song covered by FLC on that first album. The encore whilst starting hard and heavy really was the gentle wind down before releasing us all out into the crisp cool night.
Wow, what a set, and true to the advertising we got to most certainly hear ‘Come Find Yourself’ pretty much in its entirety, I think only one song was skipped and I don’t think it would have fitted in the set anyhow, so no loss there, but we had a stacked twenty song set, that played an incredibly respectable 1 hour and 45 minutes, now that’s what I like, I can’t think of many bands that play sets that long these days. The whole thing flew by, Huey’ funny and inspiring crowd banter between songs never letting momentum drop, I should also give a shout out to the guitar tech, who seamlessly kept the constant guitar tuning swaps moving throughout. Talking of Huey’s talks, massive credit to him for dealing with audience interruptions often mid-joke, he didn’t get cross, he didn’t mock, he just bought in, gave praise and love back turning it right back to what he was saying, that in itself is a huge skill to have, real positive vibes.
Huey has got to be one of the coolest cats out there, he just oozes it, he really looked really happy to be onstage, playing music, feeling the audience love, even beforehand when I caught him round the back having a smoke, he joked and laughed about he was out there scalping tickets and was happy for a photo. After all these years having listened to his radio show, something that hugely kept me going during the lockdowns, it was a huge happy tick for me to finally see him play live, all I can say now is bring on the anniversary of ‘100% Columbian’, but first for foremost I’m excited to hear what the new solo album will be. Get out there and catch him on this tour in the meantime, you won’t regret it.
Huey Morgan:
Huey Morgan – vocals, guitar
Adrian Gautrey – Hammond Organ keys
Ben Gonzalez (aka Bengo Zales) – drums
King – bass
Mateo DiFontaine – keys, turntables, horns, beats
Huey Morgan setlist:
‘The Fun Lovin’ Criminal’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Back On The Block’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 ‘100% Colombian’ album)
‘Passive/Aggressive’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Bear Hug’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘The Grave And The Constant’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Smoke ‘Em’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Bombin’ The L’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘How It Be’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 2005 album ‘Livin In The City’ album)
‘King Of New York’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘The View Belongs To Everyone’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 album 100% Colombian)
‘Come Find Yourself’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Up On The Hill’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 ‘100% Colombian’ album)
‘Scooby Snacks’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Love Unlimited’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 ‘100% Colombian’ album)
‘I Can’t Get With That’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Big Night Out’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 ‘100% Colombian’ album)
Encore:
‘Korean Bodega’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1998 ‘100% Colombian’ album)
‘Methadonia’ (Fun Lovin’ Criminals song from 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
‘Shaniqua’ (Huey & The New Yorkers song from 2012 ‘Say It To My Face’ Album)
‘We Have All The Time In The World’ (John Barry & Hal David song, also covered on Fun Lovin’ Criminals 1996 ‘Come Find Yourself’ album)
Our Man in The Field are totally new on me, my digging beforehand alerted me to the band’s two albums ‘2020’s ‘The Company Of Strangers’ and 2024’s ‘Gold On The Horizon’, and after giving them both a listen the vibes are a warm slice of Americana, country music of a calmer time. What with this being New Yorker; Huey Morgan’s tour, I figured they must be an American group as they certainly sound it, so I was surprised to find front man vocalist and guitarist Alexander Ellis is actually from the North East of England and is London based.
Tonight though, there is no band, it is just Alex alone with his guitar and after 30 minutes of chilled music from the decks of Mateo DiFontaine, at 8:00pm Alex stepped on stage. He strapped on his guitar and told us a story about Rodeo riders, “they all say the same thing, they are either going to have a good one and go home with their sweetheart or they are going to have a bad one and gonna die…which is a lot like being a singer songwriter opening for Huey Morgan”, a great way to break the ice! The first song was a beautiful un-released tune going under the working title ‘Rodeo Song’. A decent crowd had come in and respectfully were attentive, giving a warm applause.
Alex told us, he normally has a big band with him of eleven people, “so tonight is a little bit different”, and that the next song was the title track from the freshly released album of the same name, it was called ‘Silverado’, much like ‘Rodeo Song’, beautifully played, there is no showmanship going on, just Alex standing with his cap, playing his acoustic guitar like a dream, the music is doing all the talking.
Our next introduction from Alex came; “All songs on the record are about America, last month I played shows there with my band and I told the audience that America is not getting the best press outside the US, now I know a lot of good Americans and I think they need our support not criticism at the moment, only they can get themselves out of the situation. The next song is about an American musician I am working with and it is called ‘Come On’, one thing I will say is they work really hard and this song is about trying to persuade their partner they are about to take off and it’ll be alright”. Once again another beautiful solid number which held the crowds focused attention.
The next song was from the band’s second album and was called ‘Feel Good’ and was introduced with a story about the former agent; “my agent said he had some news to tell me, the bad news is I’ve spent all your money, good news is now I’ve told you I can move on, which he did”. It was interesting hearing this song so stripped back, the studio version has backing singers and so much more going on, these acoustic versions tonight, feel so raw and right from the heart.
Our next song was ‘Thin’, an early hit from the 2020 ‘The Company Of Strangers’ album, the song was about getting older. Then came ‘Something Has Got To Be Done’ this was our final song and was written about Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow, Alex sent the demo to him, and later during the Paris riots ended up randomly meeting him in a hotel lobby, Jon knew of him and had the song on his phone, so they sat and talked, Jon was worried that the news is changing and people were not allowed to make their own minds up, he with Jon put together a video together for it, but Channel 4 would not put it out as it was political, however 10 years on the song is out, it is a call to action and all profits from the song go to Warchild and what a song it was.
This six song, thirty minute set was quite mesmerising, I am pleased we had a very respectful crowd in that gave time to watch and listen, the songs coming from observations, right from Alex’s heart and soul, he came across as very calm and unhurried in his approach, something very soothing, a lot of power in his words, and quite the contrast to the main act that was to come, a very pleasing set indeed.
If you want to catch Our Man In the Field as a full band experience, you are in luck as the ‘Silverado’ tour hits The Hope & Ruin on February 12th 2027; it could be the perfect valentine’s surprise.
Our Man In The Field:
Alexander Ellis – guitar, vocals
Our Man In The Field setlist:
‘Rodeo Song’ (un-released working title)
‘Silverado’ (from 2026 ‘Silverado’ album)
‘Come On’ (from 2026 ‘Silverado’ album)
‘Feel Good’ (from 2024 ‘Gold On The Horizon’ album)
‘Thin’ (from 2020 ‘The Company Of Strangers’ album)
‘Something Has Got To Be Done’ (from 2026 ‘Silverado’ album)
