Saturday, April 22, 2023

Quireboys - Friday 21st April - Pattern's, Brighton

Brief review:  An evening of Rock ‘n’ Roll with the Quireboys in Brighton. They may be ”Spike”-less, but the rest of the band still play most of the classic QB stuff well.  Audience numbers are thin though, but do include Luke Morley from Thunder.

Venue and View:  Nice cosy venue - stand anywhere you wanted for this one!

Setlist

I Love This Dirty Town
Misled
Gracie B
Roses & Rings
Turn Away
27 Years
Louder
Mona Lisa Smiled
Original Black Eyed Son
Too Much of a Good Thing
Lie to me
This Is Rock 'n' Roll
7 O'Clock
+
I Don't Love You Anymore

* This setlist may not be 100% accurate - it is based on shows around he same time as this one.

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Elton John - Monday 17th April - O2 Arena

Brief review:  Having baulked at the prices for Elton John’s farewell tour when they went on sale several years ago, I’ve got used to hearing how good the show is from those who have been recently, so thought I would do some investigation on “single” tickets. The resale prices were still horrendous, but I’ve managed to nab a Level 1 ticket for Mr Dwight side-on to the stage (flagged restricted view) for about half the price of a front-on ticket at the back. 

The whole O2 complex is heaving, but having found that my preferred Amex lounge is allegedly full, I breezed through the improved security lines and into the not-quite-so-glamorous O2 Blue Bar. At least they have ditched the awful plastic “glasses” for now and replaced with an Elton paper cup!

And what about the show? Outstandingly good! I fully expected a host of backing singers handling the vocals, but it was all Elton. And his playing and that of the long standing band colleagues was excellent.

Venue and View:  Right hand side - slightly behind stage

Setlist

Bennie and the Jets
Philadelphia Freedom
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Border Song 
Tiny Dancer
Have Mercy on the Criminal
Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)
Take Me to the Pilot
Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Levon
Candle in the Wind
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Burn Down the Mission
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
The Bitch Is Back
I'm Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
+
Cold Heart
Your Song
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road


Sunday, April 02, 2023

Blackberry Smoke - Saturday 1st April - Roundhouse


Brief review:
 
 Blackberry Smoke at The Roundhouse. Who and where I hear you cry! Excellent US country-rock (Eagles-esq?) band at the the ex steam train shed - now arts venue, in Chalk Farm.We missed the first song and a half unfortunately (the opener is a favourite of mine), but everything else was very good indeed. Howdy folks

Venue and View:  Side right, towards the back to start and then leaning against pillar with side view

Setlist

Six Ways to Sunday
Good One Comin' On
Let It Burn
Live It Down
Pretty Little Lie
You Hear Georgia
Living in the Song
Hey Delilah
Sleeping Dogs / Don't Come Round Here No More (Snippet)
Ain't the Same
Ain't Gonna Wait
The Whippoorwill
Waiting for the Thunder
What Comes Naturally
Rock and Roll Again
Restless
Ain't Got the Blues
Run Away From It All
One Horse Town
Old Scarecrow
+
Shakin' Hands With the Holy Ghost
Ain't Much Left of Me / Mississippi Kid (Snippet)