Words & Pictures : Louise Phillips / Louise Phillips Photography
To warm you up before we get to the live review, let’s first meet the band. They might be an unknown right now with this a review of their debut gig but their pedigree is undeniable.
Maxine Talulah, (Lead Vocals, Piano)
A powerhouse vocalist with a career spanning performances at Premier League football grounds, BBC Radio 1’s Big Bash, and The Royal Albert Hall. Maxine’s collaborations with industry icons and her residency on the Vegas Strip have solidified her as a captivating performer.
Calle Engelmark, (Guitars, Vocals)
A versatile guitarist, songwriter, and producer with international acclaim, Calle’s diverse influences—from
Miles Davis, Buck Owens to Motörhead—shape The Sixx’s signature sound.
Marty Love (Drums & Percussion)
Marty currently plays with Wingmen, Johnny Moped, The Sensible Gray Cells and recently played for Lenny Kaye’s UK Nuggets band. He has performed at iconic venues such as KOKO Camden, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and many more. His drumming is inspired by legends like Ringo Starr, Simon Fox and Woody Woodmansey, bringing a dynamic energy to The Sixx’s rhythm section.
Ricky McGuire, (Bass Guitar)
Formerly of The Men They Couldn’t Hang and UK Subs, Ricky’s folk-rock roots and driving basslines anchor The Sixx’s sound.
Dave Blackman, Piano and Keyboards
Dave is a talented pianist, having started learning at the age of five. He’s played with a number of acts across the UK, most recently with Eddie MacDonald’s Smalltown Glory. He’s a very melodic keys player and his keyboard skills add texture and melody to the band’s sonic landscape.
He owns and runs Hiltongrove Mastering in Essex, where he has worked with artists such as Billy Bragg, Echo and The Bunnymen, and Soft Cell. Dave will listen to most things, but is especially partial to a bit of Randy Newman or Billy Joel.
Appetites whetted? Good, then let’s look to Louise’s live review of the band’s debut gig from one of Brighton’s best grass roots venue, The Prince Albert
There’s something electric about witnessing a band at the start of their journey—when the songs are fresh, the chemistry is raw, and the hunger is undeniable. The Sixx, a powerhouse collective of seasoned rockers, delivered exactly that at Brighton’s Prince Albert last night, testing new material for their upcoming debut album, set for release in September.
Their set—twelve brand-new tracks plus a fiery cover of Tom Petty’s Breakdown—showcased a band already brimming with identity. Blending emotional ballads with punchy, anthemic pop-rock, The Sixx explored themes of love, heartbreak, regret, and alienation with a confidence that suggests they’ve lived every lyric. It’s clear their influences run deep—there’s the heartland storytelling of Tom Petty, the rich harmonies and melodic sensibilities of Fleetwood Mac, and a dash of that Americana warmth that gives their sound a timeless, road-worn feel.
Among the standout moments was ‘Have Faith In Me’; the follow-up single to ‘Shadows’, which has been gaining solid radio traction. Meanwhile, ‘Oil and Water’; was a showstopper—this beautifully crafted ballad about not blending in has already been recognized as Track of the Week on drive-time radio shows, and last night’s performance proved exactly why. The song’s delicate yet soaring arrangement, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac’s more reflective moments, had the crowd spellbound.
At the helm, Max Talulah proved a magnetic frontwoman, her voice effortlessly shifting between aching vulnerability and full-throttle power.
Alongside her, Calle Engelmark (ex-The Members, Small Town Glory) tore through blistering guitar solos while adding his own vocal bite. Ricky McGuire (The Men They Couldn’t Hang) anchored the sound with melodic, rock-solid basslines, while Dave Blackman, an exceptional
piano and Hammond organ player, added rich textures and depth to the band’s sonic palette. Driving it all forward with groove and precision was drummer Marty Love (Johnny Moped, Wingmen), a rhythmic force that kept the set tight and propulsive.
The audience—part locals, part dedicated gig-goers—didn’t take long to get swept up in it. By the time the final note rang out, The Sixx had done more than just introduce themselves. They’d left a mark. If this was just the beginning, their debut album in September is shaping up to be something special.
Missed it? Don’t make that mistake again. The Sixx are only getting started.
About Author
