Sweet - Thursday 21st December - Islington Assembly Rooms

Brief review:  Having almost missed out on a ticket by leaving purchase late (an official resale saved the day), it was off to Islington for the show. Sari Schorr was opening the show and I'd been meaning to catch her for a while and was not disappointed with her soulful bluesy vocals filling the rooms. Backed by the excellent Jim Kirkpatrick on guitar, the strong material played (as well as the excellent Status Quo cover) persuaded me to buy a CD afterwards which Sari was kind enough to sign.

Headliners Sweet were on their normal excellent form, the show only slightly distracted from by some middle aged blokes who were totally hammered trying to mosh/chat/chant/chat-up/stand up (delete as appropriate) throughout the show, I moved just before the encore as they were falling into people around them.

The set was basically hits and seemed to be enjoyed by all present. Best wishes to founding member Andy Scott who has a serious illness & here's hoping that he stays healthy enough to enable more shows in the future.

Venue and View:  Back left for Sari Schorr, front left for most of Sweet then right at the back for the encore.

Setlist (Sari Schorr)

Freedom
Back to L.A.
King of Rock and Roll
Where Have You Been My Friend
Turn the Radio On
Damn the Reason
Beautiful
Valentina
Down Down 

Setlist (Sweet)
Action
New York Groove / Empire State Of Mind
Hell Raiser
Burn on the Flame
The Six Teens
Don't Bring Me Water
Changes
Co-Co / Funny Funny / Poppa Joe
Everything
Circus
Set Me Free
Teenage Rampage
Wig-Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz (with Sari Schorr on backing vocals)

Sweet - Thursday 25th November - Chalk, Brighton

Brief review:  A new venue for me, just around the corner from the "Quadrophenia Alley". Unfortunately, the early start meant we only heard the last 3 songs from support Limehouse Lizzy, but they sounded good. As did the Sweet - now with Paul Manzi full time on vocals. The only lull was a couple of lesser known songs in the middle of the set, but otherwise it was hits all the way. 

Venue and View:  Front left about 10 yards from Andy Scott. Busier than expected, but not uncomfortable. Lighting was probably the worst I've seen this year with the band in near darkness for much of the set.

Setlist

Action
New York Groove 
Burn on the Flame
Hell Raiser
The Six Teens
Defender
Windy City
Set Me Free
Everything
Teenage Rampage
Wig Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen / Fanfare for the Common Man
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz

Sweet - Wednesday 18th December - Islington Assembly Hall

Brief review: My last show of the year is a decent one as Sweet step up a notch in venue size at the Islington Assembly Hall. With ex Cats In Space vocalist Paul Manzi now the permanent frontman this was an enjoyable romp through all the hits you'd expect to hear. I really do enjoy Andy Scott's guitar playing too.

Setlist
Action
New York Groove (with 'New York' by Alicia Keys snippet)
Hell Raiser
Burn on the Flame
The Six Teens
Peppermint Twist
AC/DC
Turn It Down
Set Me Free
Teenage Rampage
Wig-Wam Bam
Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen / Fanfare for the Common Man
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
The Ballroom Blitz

Sweet - Saturday 21st July - Master Park, Oxted Beer Festival

With their normal frontman otherwise engaged, duties were shared between bassist Tony O'Hora and guest "Cats In Space" vocalist Paul Manzi. The excellent Andy Scott on guitar and drummer Bruce Bisland completed the lineup, although another "Cat" - Greg Hart - joined in for "Fox on the Run".

I really enjoyed the show - one of the most fun this year. The beer festival was well organised too - without massive queues - and we were even able to watch a bit of cricket outside.

Afterwards we were made welcome at the members-only social club and played darts of varying standard! The journey home was entertaining with a lady we met on the platform with a wine glass keeping us company back to Croydon.

Setlist
Action
New York Groove
Teenage Rampage
The Six Teens
AC/DC
Hell Raiser
Wig-Wam Bam / Little Willy
Love Is Like Oxygen
Fox on the Run
+
Blockbuster
Ballroom Blitz

Slade / Sweet - Tuesday 17th December - Guildford G-Live

A repeat of last year's double bill.  A near identical set from Sweet too, but none the worse for it as it was mainly hits based. The guys appeared at the interval to sign stuff which us always a nice touch.

Slade were good too, albeit a little brief. Apparently the singer Mal is looking to leave, but I thought this was his best performance in all the times I have seen them. All in all, good fun.

Setlist

Slade

Gudbuy T'Jane

Lock Up Your Daughters

Far Far Away

Look Wot You Dun

Coz I Luv You

Run Runaway

Mama Weer All Crazee Now

Get Down and Get With It

My Oh My

Cum On Feel the Noize

Merry Xmas Everybody

Slade / Sweet - Friday 9th November - Guildford G-Live

The 2012 version of Slade

A double header on a Friday at the new G-Live venue in Guildford. After a pint or two by the riverside we headed to the venue which is quite an upgrade compared to the old Civic Hall.

First up were Sweet who include original guitarist Andy Scott. The band played a set sticking mainly to hits and their new album which is covers-based. They were better than I expected, so much so that I bought couple of CDs at the interval and got them signed.
 

Headliners were a band calling themselves Slade. Original members Dave Hill and Don Powell treating us to around 75 minutes of prime 70s rock. Whilst it still takes a few songs to get over the singer's rasping vocals, the show settles down into a mass sing-a-long. A relatively early finish enabled us to get a direct train home and it was a really nice evening.

Setlists
SWEET
Hellraiser
New York Groove / Empire State Of Mind
The Six Teens
Wig Wam Bam / Little Willy
Teenage Rampage
You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)
Love Is Like Oxygen / Fanfare For The Common Man
Blockbuster
Fox On The Run
+
Action
Ballroom Blitz

SLADE
We'll Bring The House Down
Take Me Bak 'Ome
Far Far Away
Everyday
Coz I Luv You
Run Runaway
The Bangin' Man
Gudbuy T'Jane
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Get Down And Get With It
+
My Oh My
Cum On Feel The Noize
Merry Xmas Everybody