Status Quo - Wednesday 30th November - Brighton Centre

Brief review: Status Quo in Brighton supported, bizarrely, by Shakin’ Stevens. I sat in the row behind ‘Shaky’, in the stand at Plough Lane (Wimbledon) circa 1981 for a charity football match. A dozen teenage girls were pointing in my direction and screaming excitedly - what was I to think? In the 2nd half, Mr Stevens moved down to the touchline from his seat and appeared as a substitute for ten minutes. It was only then that I realised the attention was not for me - damn! 

He seems to have a reduced effect today, for ladies of a certain age. We are actually feeling quite young tonight. I would have hoped "Mr Stevens" would have thrown a few more hits into his set - it was OK, but nothing more. Of more interest was the bizarre scuffle that broke out at the front when a front row seat holder took objection to a guy from the 4th row wanting to enjoy "Merry Christmas Everyone" near the barrier!

Quo were good as normal and we got some decent solos from Mr Rossi as you'd expect. Additionally, Richard and I both commented that Rhino's vocals are now more than acceptable on the handful he sings on. Practice makes perfect!

Venue and View:  Central seats on the floor, about 5 rows back.

Setlist (Status Quo)
Caroline
Rain
Little Lady
Softer Ride
Beginning of the End
Hold You Back
Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You
Twenty Wild Horses
Medley: What You're Proposing / Down the Dustpipe / Something 'bout You Baby I Like / Wild Side Of Life / Rollin' Home / Railroad / Again and Again / Mystery Song
The Oriental
In My Chair
Cut Me Some Slack
Liberty Lane
In the Army Now
Roll Over Lay Down
Down Down
Whatever You Want
Rockin' All Over the World
+
Burning Bridges (On and Off and on Again)

Setlist (Shakin' Stevens)

How Could It Be Like That

Turning Away

Radio

Down Into Muddy Water

The Fire in Her Blood

Green Door

Beyond The Illusion

Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Don't You Lie to Me

Marie Marie

This Ole House

Last Man Alive

Fire Down Below

Merry Christmas Everyone

Rod Stewart - Friday 25th November - O2 Arena

Brief review:  Top tier curtained off for this one, perhaps due to a clash with England's World Cup snore-draw with the USA. Bizarrely, it appeared that many of the (not too young) audience were absolutely hammered. Lots of people in the wrong seats, scuffles breaking out around us (some wanting to stand, others not) and the bizarre O2 policy of routing people with floor tickets to walk down staircases blocking the view of those seated in tier one. And lots of pressure on the young stewards getting in the neck from other punters with not too much support to help them.

It would have been easy to be distracted by that (and we were for the first 4-5 songs), but afterwards Rod delivered a decent show. The vocals may be a bit hit and miss these days (mainly "hit"), but the songs themselves bring a smile to most. 

Venue and View:  Lower tier, 2/3 of the way back on the right. Just the correct side of the World's busiest staircase to and from the floor.

Setlist
Addicted to Love
You Wear It Well
Ooh La La
Having a Party
Some Guys Have All the Luck
This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)
Forever Young
The First Cut Is the Deepest
Maggie May
I'd Rather Go Blind
Young Turks
Rhythm of My Heart
Hot Stuff [Backing Singers]
The Killing of Georgie, Part I [Acoustic]
People Get Ready [Acoustic]
I Don't Want to Talk About It [Acoustic]
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright) [Acoustic]
You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim) [Acoustic]
Have I Told You Lately [Acoustic]
Lady Marmalade [Backing Singers]
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Baby Jane
Sailing
+
Stay With Me

Jackie Lynton - Saturday 19th November - Scratchers, Farncombe

Brief review:  Last minute decision to go and see Jack and I'm glad I did. He may not be in the best of health, but this was a fun show, mixed in with the usual array of stories and jokes. I bought his new CD and book afterwards and had a nice chat. And as he said in the show, of course there is no B&Q in Woking. Boom Boom.

Venue and View:  Seated in the lower section, a few yards from the stage

Setlist
[Set 1]
Call Me The Breeze
A Mess Of The Blues / Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Rock And Roll Whiskey Blues
Drift Away
Sea Cruise
I Hear You Knocking
You Can't Always Get What You Want
+
[Set 2]
I'm Ready
Unchain My Heart
Promised Land [Guest Eric on vocals]
The Wheels on The Bus / Run Rabbit Run / The Sun Has Got His Hat On
Run Run Rudolph
??? / You Keep a Knockin' / You Wanna Rock n Roll (Like Status Quo) / Down Down / Caroline

Gary Moore Blues Tribute - Thursday 17th November - Cavern, Raynes Park

Brief review:  As it said on the tin - Gary Moore tribute, blues experience. This didn't wash with the bloke standing next to me who thought it outrageous that they didn't play any of Gary's non blues material. Still, I enjoyed it.

Venue and View:  High table near the entrance. Central and 10 yards from the stage.

Pat McManus - Wednesday 16th November - Half Moon, Putney

Brief review:  Return trip to see Pat at the Half Moon again. Missed the first song which meant getting a place to stand without blocking others was a little tricky, but it worked out OK. Different set from earlier in the year, but still very good.

Venue and View:  Just behind the tables, on the right