Status Quo - Friday 15th April - Hammersmith Apollo

A tour 32 years in the making - the (temporary) return of the "classic" Frantic Four line-up of Status Quo. Having first seen Quo in 1984, I had never actually seen the incarnation of Rossi, Parfitt, Lancaster and Coghlan, so it was with much anticipation (and a little trepidation that it might not be as good as we all hoped) that an afternoon was booked of and we trekked off to Hammersmith.

The Distillers pub in Hammersmith were hosting tribute band "Stated Quo" and they entertained a packed house with a raucous collection of familiar and more obscure Quo tunes.

After a few pints, it was off to the main venue to get a decent spot. We settled for a good view about 1/3 of the way back, left of centre. The pre-show atmosphere was electric - the kind I've only experience a couple of times in nearly 30 yrs of gig going. An almighty roar greeted the lights going down and an edited version of Jackie Lynton's classic introduction from 1977 played on the PA. "Is there anybody out there that wants to rock....?"...

Indeed there was.

Starting off with Junior's Wailing, Lancaster took vocals on the first 3 songs. The set flew by with an intensity that belied the combined ages of the 4 musicians on stage (circa 250). Rossi was on fine form - solos were brilliantly played and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Also noticeable was the lack of messing around / changing words etc - maybe because all the show were being recorded? Who knows, but it was good to see a serious "no messing" performance.

An hour and a half later we were all done with the last few "Bye Bye's" of Bye Bye Johnny. On the way out we agreed how fantastic it had been. A one off tour? Let's hope not!

Setlist
Junior's Wailing
Backwater
Just Take Me
Is There a Better Way
In My Chair
Blue Eyed Lady
Little Lady
Most of the Time
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Railroad
Oh Baby
Forty-Five Hundred Times
Rain
Big Fat Mama
Down Down
Roadhouse Blues
+
Don't Waste My Time
Bye Bye Johnny