The evening kicked off with a set by The Quireboys whose core line up still consists of Spike on vocals, Keith Weir on keyboards, Guy Griffin on guitars and Paul Guerin on guitar. I’d only ever seen the Quireboys perform an acoustic set so I was quite excited to see them perform a full electric set, I was not disappointed. It’s a short set of old favourites which they tear though including Whipping Boy, Hey You, I don’t love you anymore and ending with 7 O’Clock, the audience love it and you can’t help singing along. Spike is a real showman, a rock n roll Jack Sparrow. It’s a joy to watch him bounce across the stage, swinging the mic stand as he goes.
At only 40 minutes it’s over far too soon and I’m left disappointed that it’s not longer.
Setlist:
Misled, Man on the Loose, Long Time Comin’, Whipping Boy, Hey You, There She Goes Again, I Don’t Love You Anymore, Sweet Mary Ann, 7 O’clock
After a short break it’s on to the main event. The Dead Daisies. The band is the brainchild of David Lowy who has brought together a group of very talented musicians, Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake) on guitar, Tommy Clufetos (Black Sabbath) on drums and the latest addition, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) on bass/vocals.
I was very curious to see how the band would sound with this new line up or if with the addition of Hughes it would morph into a Deep Purple tribute act.
It’s clear as the band launch into their set that they are cohesive, very slick and professional. Hughes, despite being 70 still has an amazing voice and can hit the high notes. He’s certainly a talented bass player.
The set itself features songs from their latest album, Holy Ground. together with a mix of older ones (Mexico, Lock n’ Load, Leave Me Alone) and a couple of Deep Purple songs (Mistreated and Burn) thrown in for good measure.
The stand out moment for me was the drum solo by Tommy Clufetos which highlighted what a brilliant drummer he is.
Overall it was an awesome display of superb musicianship. An evening of honest rock which the audience thoroughly enjoyed.
Setlist:
Unspoken, Rise Up, Dead and Gone, Chosen and Justified, Mexico, Bustle And Flow, Lock ‘n’ Load, Fortunate Son, Midnight Moses, Drum Solo, Mistreated, My Fate, Leave Me Alone, Saving Grace, Like No Other,
Holy Ground, Long Way to Go, Burn
Review and Photos by Mark Stimpson
