Uriah Heep Newcastle Academy Dec 12th 2011
Just got back. My ears are still ringing. Heep were LOUD, and on great form. Mick Box’s shape throwing is getting more bizarre. More later. Off to bed now.
I can’t remember the last time that Uriah Heep played in Newcastle but I’m pretty sure that it was a long time ago. It was great to see them returning here; the north east was always a stronghold for heavy rock in general, and for Uriah Heep in particular. I remember very well attending some great shows at the City Hall during the David Byron and John Lawton eras of the band. All of that is so so long ago; and looking around at the audience in the Academy, I would bet that many of the crowd were also present on those wonderful nights in the 70s.
I arrived just before the band took to the stage. The respectably sized crowd gave the band a warm reception; you could sense that people had been waiting a long time to see these guys again. The set was pretty similar to the one that I saw them play at Workington earlier in the year; with the addition of a few songs from the new album Into the Wild, replacing songs from their last album Wake the Sleeper. All the classics are still in the set: Gypsy, Julie Morning, Return to Fantasy, Stealin’, and Woman in Black. The encore was Bird of Prey (I haven’t seen them play that for some time) and Easy Livin ‘. The only favourite that was (for me) missing was Sunrise. A new addition to the show was getting some of the crowd up onstage to rock with the band on one of the songs.
I was stood right at the front near the speakers and it was LOUD. These guys are true professionals, and always deliver. This was no different, they were really great. I hope they don’t leave it as long next time. The band seemed to enjoy the show and the crowd reaction, so maybe we will see them back in the north east on their next tour.
Setlist: I’m Ready; Return to Fantasy; Stealin’; Rainbow Demon; Money Talk; Nail on the Head; The Wizard; Into the Wild; Gypsy; Look At Yourself; July Morning; Lady In Black
Encore: Free ‘n’ Easy; Bird of Prey; Easy Livin’
ticket
Vintagerock's Weblog. 