Michael Malarkey At Wilton’s Music Hall Review

Atlanta-based musician and actor Michael Malarkey returned to Wilton’s Music Hall in London to ready the launch of his new EP. The multi-talented actor and singer-songwriter is best known for his role as Enzo in famous TV series The Vampire Diaries. It wasn’t his first time gracing the Wilton’s Music Hall stage, having previously performed as Jay Gatsby in their first production of The Great Gatsby back in 2012. Michael’s grand musical abilities and passion for song writing shined through as he played in front of a sold out show.

From a young age as a punk rock fan Malarkey has been enthralled with teaching himself the guitar and working on self-penned songs. However, his debut EP ‘Feed The Flames’ sees the actor come singer create some soothing alternative folk. Inspired by the likes of Tom Waits, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen but bearing his own distinctive hallmark. Malarkey even paid homage to the King of Rock n Roll himself Elvis Presley by performing the rockabilly pop track, ‘Don’t Be Cruel’.

After getting the whole venue erupting, with people dancing and using his charisma to hide his odd slip up while performing. Malarkey jumped straight into performing each track from his latest EP, ‘Feed The Flames’. His performance of the title track was an all out audience interaction sing-a-long that had Michael smiling from ear to ear because everyone knew the words.

Malarkey’s voice was husky and captivating and added great depth to his story telling as he pressed through each song, even when the crowd took each and every opportunity to yell at him to take his clothes off or marry them. The musician even shared his character’s cheekiness by taking it all in his stride and even when he made slight mistakes he just brushed it off.

Michael Malarkey’s shift from actor to musician looks quite promising and it’ll be interesting to see where he takes his music next. He has the song writing ability, the vocals and the stage presence to see it through.

Listen below to the first single ‘Through The Night And Back Again’, taken from the EP ‘Feed The Flames’.

By James Barker