King’s Gambit Bring Folk-Beat Fun to The Garibaldi Hotel

Hidden away on a quiet corner, The Garibaldi Hotel is one of those spots you can blink past and completely miss but on Saturday 14 March, it was the perfect setting for King’s Gambit’s long overdue show. Part of the venue’s Garibaldi Live program that celebrates everything from bluegrass to jazz, the matinee slot is a lovely way to pittle away a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Especially with pub’s bespoke Mexican food on hand — the Birra Beef Taco, in particular, is impossible to resist.

The audience is a slightly different mix to the hipster-heavy crowd of a Friday night, but still intimate, chaotic and slightly dangerous to your pint. King’s Gambit, a seven-piece folk-beat band, made full use of it. Their sound is a rollicking mix of pirate-esque sea shanties, foot-stomping folk, and danceable rhythms, and the band fully lean into the fun of it.

The first half of the set focused on solos and duets, giving each member space to shine. Classics were reimagined, originals introduced with cheeky storytelling, and moments of improvisation kept everyone enthralled. By the time the full band kicked in, the room had transformed into a rollicking, slightly anarchic dance floor, every instrument layered and pulsing with energy. Cello, fiddle, guitar, and percussion all collided in perfect chaos, that was impossible not to get swept up in.

King’s Gambit aren’t just musicians, they’re entertainers. Their ability to turn a matinee into an intimate, high-spirited affair made the afternoon feel like a secret adventure, complete with swaying, stomping, and plenty of laughter. It’s the kind of show that leaves you glad you found the hidden gem before everyone else does.