All Right Now - Friday 18th January - Boom Boom Club, Sutton

So it appears it's all change in the musical world of Johnny Warman. He appears to have left "The Mods" (and formed "Magic Bus" playing similar material) and presumably there's no more "Four Bills and a Ben"?

Additionally, this band "All Right Now" have migrated from playing nearly all "Free" and "Bad Company" material to a range of classic rock. Speaking as a fan of both the aforementioned bands, I think this is a good thing - it should widen their potential audience and give them a chance to mix up the setlist.

Tonight's show was good and contained a few surprises - not least relatively modern songs like "Rockin' In The Free World" and "Gimme All Your Lovin'". The band were spot on with the lead guitar especially impressive.

Thunder - Friday 21st December - Manchester Academy

Off up north for what is becoming an annual trip for Thunder's Xmas party. Thankfully the band have heeded their public and moved on from the dreadful Rock City in Nottingham and this was our first visit to the Manchester Academy. And what a difference! A venue which you could get into easily. A venue where the audience all have a clear line of site to the stage (height permitting!). A venue with ample bar staff to server everyone quickly (and at fair prices). Toilets that you could get into with out a massive queue. And a large friendly crowd without a crush. If Carlsberg did venues...

The show itself started a little slowly. I know the band want to mix things up (after all there's a CD or 2 to come from this), but a start including obscure tracks from the pretty average "The Thrill Of It All" album had some punters scratching their heads somewhat! Things livened up a bit with "Low Life In High Places" and from there on in a good time was had by all. Sad to say we didn't recognise a Deep Purple cover - "Might Just Take Your Life", but and excellent "Jet" and "Hammer To Fall" were spot on.

The band seemed to be enjoying themselves and I can't help wondering if the 2013 tour with Journey and Whitesnake may jolt them out of retirement once again. In any case, there are rumours of the Xmas shows continuing but changing venue each year. I hear Brighton is very nice in December and gives the opportunity for a few Quadrophenia covers! Bell Boy!

Setlist
Stand Up
The Moment Of Truth
Does It Feel Like Love?
Weather With You
This Forgotten Town
Don't Wait Up
I'll Be Waiting
It's Another Day
Low Life In High Places
Amy's On The Run
+
Backstreet Symphony
The Devil Made Me Do It
Until My Dying Day
Might Just Take Your Life
Jet
Numb
Isn't It Time
River Of Pain
On The Radio
Hammer To Fall
Love Walked In
Dirty Love
+
Born To Run
I Love You More Than Rock 'N' Roll
I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday

Thin Lizzy / Quireboys - Monday 17th December - Shepherd's Bush Empire

Third gig in 4 days for me and off to the Shepherd's Bush Empire. We are here primarily for the Quireboys who are support, but also taking a first ever look at Thin Lizzy who are supposedly on the last night of their "farewell tour". Yeah, we've all heard that before.

The Quireboys were good - a fairly safe set - and Spike worked hard to engage with the pretty sparse crowd. Looking forward to a new album and shows in 2013.

Thin Lizzy's crowd had swelled slightly (maybe 2/3 capacity on the floor and a reasonable filled level 1 seating). Setlist was predictably greatest hits based and whilst Phil Lynott is generally regarded as "irreplaceable", Ricky Warwick and the rest of the plectrum flinging band were good fun. I may be tempted if and when they tour again.

Setlists (subject to confirmation!)

QUIREBOYS
Tramps And Thieves
There She Goes Again
Misled
Too Much Of A Good Thing
Roses & Rings
Whippin' Boy
Mona Lisa Smiled
Hey You
Mother Mary
This Is Rock And Roll
7 O'Clock

THIN LIZZY
Are You Ready
Jailbreak
Don't Believe A Word
Killer On The Loose
Chinatown
Dancing In The Moonlight (It's Caught Me in It's Spotlight)
Massacre
Waiting For An Alibi
Angel Of Death
Still In Love With You
Whiskey In The Jar
Emerald
Suicide
Cowboy Song
The Boys Are Back In Town
+
Rosalie
Black Rose

Dan Baird & Homemade Sin - Saturday 15th December - Borderline, London

Dan Baird - Borderline night 2

Night 2 of 2 and a similar position on the floor. Despite my words yesterday, the set wasn't quite as different as you may have expected, but the show of hands from the audience suggested around a 25% "return rate". Few will have left disappointed after another top notch performance.

Same again next year please!

Setlist

Dixie Beauxderaunt
Open All Night
L'il Bit
Crooked Smile
Fall On Me
Keep Your Hands To Yourself
Lazy Monday
Railroad Steel
1000 Promises
Don't Pass Me By
Two For Tuesday (inc Hey, Tonight / Proud Mary)
I Dunno
Julie & Lucky
I Love You Period
On My Way
She Dug Me Up
Sheila (inc I Wanna Be Sedated)
+
All Over But The Cryin'
Dan Takes 5

Dan Baird & Homemade Sin - Friday 14th December - Borderline, London

Dan Baird - Borderline night 1

The first of 2 nights of Dan Baird & Homemade Sin at the Borderline. Going both nights you ask? Of course! Why? Because tomorrow will almost certainly be a completely different set.

Those "veterans" of this seemingly now annual double headers will know what to expect. A hot sweaty venue, loud rock 'n' roll and a great time. This didn't disappoint and it was actually a little more comfortable on the floor than normal.

Setlist
Well Enough Alone
I Dunno
Crooked Smile
Nights of Mystery (inc Get It On)
1000 Promises
Julie & Lucky
I Love You Period
I Want You Bad
Keep Your Hands To Yourself
Two For Tuesday (inc Hey, Tonight / Proud Mary)
Dunk 'n' Dine
She Dug Me Up
Worse For Wear & Tear
All Over But The Cryin'
Dan Takes 5
Younger Face
Railroad Steel
+
Sheila (inc Do You Wanna Dance)

Status Quo - Monday 10th December - Brighton Centre

Status Quo - Quofestive Tour 2012 - Brighton Centre

A Monday night and a solo trip down to the Brighton Centre for Quo. I would've gone for next week at the O2 in London had it not been for the fact that tickets are already booked for the PDC Darts World Championship at the Ally Pally.

None of more Quo-fan mates would join us on the basis that: a) it's a Monday Night. b) it's down in Brighton. c) they'll play that Christmas nonsense again, won't they? d) Why haven't they got a top-bill support act? and e) I'll save my cash for the reunion next year.

So, despite the fact it was the worst night of the week for a gig, I decided to go rather than miss out. I too was rather unsure about the choice of "Eddie and the Hot Rods" as support, but they played a competent set, albeit to a very reserved, seated audience. The 2 covers at the end, Gloria and Born To Be Wild fitted in well with the rest of the set. I'll look out for them if they play the Half Moon again, but suspect they were punching above their weight in an arena setting like this.

Speaking of the arena, there were a fair few empty seats - especially at the sides. I guess that means that many shared the view of my mates and gave this a miss.

So, the show itself. Well I enjoyed it - indeed the first 9 songs or so were amongst the best selection I've seen the guys play for a while. I could live without the middle bit of the set (except Living on an Island which I like), but I don't agree with the abuse that the band get on their own site message board from people who say it's a "disgrace" that they play "Marguerita Time" etc and they'll never go again. Get a life! If you don't like a song, go to the bar when it's on! How can one or two songs ruin a gig where you like the other 20? What nonsense! I also quite enjoyed longer versions of some of the songs than previously and a bit of a mix and match of some of the medley material.

What I would say though, is that the close to the main set is becoming very predictable and really does need a shakeup. Recent years have seen the band whizz through an encore as if they can't wait to escape, but I anticipated a couple of changes this time around.

That said, with hindsight, I should have skipped the encore to get the early train home (the danger of keeping the setlist secret from myself!). Still I did get to hear part of "It's Christmas Time" live for the first time. Shame there was no "Don't Waste My Time" (there was in Europe), but I'm now really looking forward to the reunion shows in March.

Setlist
Caroline
Paper Plane
Hold You Back
Rain
Mystery Song
Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You
Beginning Of The End
What You're Proposing / Down The Dustpipe / Wild Side Of Life / Railroad / Again And Again
Big Fat Mama
The Oriental
Creepin' Up On You
Marguerita Time
Living On An Island
In The Army Now
Drum Solo / The Killer
Roll Over Lay Down
Down Down
Whatever You Want
Rockin' All Over The World
+
Walking In A Winter Wonderland / Rocking Around The Christmas Tree / It's Christmas Time
Burning Bridges

Magnum - Thursday 29th November - Islington Academy

Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin keep the nightlight burning

A trip to Islington for the 2nd week running, this time to the Academy to see Magnum. The backstreets of Islington appear be a haven for attractive Eastern European bar staff and this was again the case this evening.

We made sure however, that we arrived in good time at the venue (last time Magnum were here it was so packed we barely got through the door) and secured our regular spot for this venue on the right hand side with a decent view. The setlist for this door has been absolutely static and at first glance may appear slightly biased toward newer material, but from first song to last, the band were at their captivating best. It helps that their last couple of albums have been top notch too.

Bob Catley continues to enthral the audience with the enthusiasm of a man have his age (and full credit for the first time I have ever heard the words "Come on Islington!"), whilst Tony Clarkin's guitar playing is first rate and seemingly effortless. Add in the wonderful Harry James, Mark Stanway and Al Barrow and this is a top rate band. We were slightly puzzled with what could be needed on Mark Stanways laptop/Mac Airbook - not sure they use too much in the way of pre-recorded loops, but whatever issues the roadie was trying to sort didn't appear to affect the sound.

Predictable highlights were "Les Morts Dansant", "The Spirit" and "Vigilante" plus a relatively rare outing for "Day Of No Trust". Cracking stuff.

Richard and I were speculating that over the course of 25 years of watching Magnum, we have never heard them play a cover version live. Not withstanding that they did things like "Runaway Sue" earlier in their career, what other bands of stature can you say that for? A colleague put forward Bad Sabbath as a possibility - if anyone knows of any more or can correct us re: Magnum, I'd be interested to hear!

PS Another "Ling" point easily collected.

Setlist
All The Dreamers
When We Were Younger
Blood Red Laughter
Wild Angels
Brand New Morning
How Far Jerusalem
The Flood
Les Morts Dansant
The Spirit
Dance Of The Black Tattoo
All My Bridges
All England's Eyes
Vigilante
Kingdom Of Madness
+
See How They Fall
Rockin' Chair
Days Of No Trust

Doro - Tuesday 20th of November - The Garage, Islington

Ms Pesch

Off to the Garage in Islington for some German rock!

This was preceded by a long pub crawl - sadly all non-alcoholic for me, but including some excellent darts!

Arriving perfectly 5 mins before showtime we took our place in a 2/3 full venue and scored an expected 'Ling alert' point.

Having previously seen Doro supporting Saxon, I still didn't know too much material, but it was all solid enough apart from the outrageously long drum solo which was painful. The front of the venue pretty much dispersed to the loos for this part of the show. There must be a campaign online to ban these surely - if so, sign me up!

Anyway the rest of the show was enough to make me probably look out for a best of Warlock CD sometime soon. Raise your fist in the air London!

 

Setlist

Hellraiser
I Rule The Ruins
Burning The Witches
Fight For Rock
The Night Of The Warlock
Hellbound
True As Steel
Raise Your Fist In The Air
Für Immer
Metal Racer
Earthshaker Rock
Wacken Hymne (We are the Metalheads)
Revenge
Metal Tango
Hero
Breaking The Law
All We Are
+
Love Me In Black
East Meets West



Brian May with Kerry Ellis - Thursday 15th November - The Hawth, Crawley

Kerry Ellis & Brian May

A trip to suburbia to see the Queen guitarist with stage star Kerry Ellis in Crawley.
The evening started with a couple of games of darts in Three Bridges and included a nice 180 with some "pub darts" in one venue and a stunning 13 dart 501 finish (my best ever) in "The Moonraker". We then cut through some sports fields and made our way to the Hawth, which I'd bizarrely thought was going to be the same venue I'd seen Status Quo at 10 years ago (Wrong! - that was the Crawley Leisure Centre)

In a seated and very quiet auditorium the mainly acoustic show presented a selection of Queen hits and other songs in aid of The Born Free Foundation. It was quite strange (with no real atmosphere whilst the songs were playing) and a strictly enforced "no photo" policy.
A local youth choir joined for the last 5 songs and they were perfectly pleasant (although Richard was horrified they needed a crib sheet for "We Are The Champions"!)
 
It was nice to see Brian playing in a venue like this (and for a good cause) but I look forward to seeing him on his own playing some more rock material soon. Kerry's vocals are pleasant enough but somewhat limit the style of material they can play.

 

Setlist
Born Free
Butterfly (Somethings That Glitter)
I Who Have Nothing
Dust In The Wind
I Can See You Kissing Me
Somebody to Love
Nothing Really Has Changed
Life is Real (Song for Lennon)
The Way We Were
'39
Something
Love of My Life
I'm Not That Girl
No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young)
Last Horizon (Electric Guitar version)
I Can't Be Your Friend 
We Will Rock You
We Are the Champions
+
In The Bleak Midwinter
Born Free
Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Born Free Foundation Website

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