Not for the first time I had a dilemma. Richard Thompson was playing in the larger Hall One of The Glasshouse, Gateshead’s whilst another hero of mine, Robert Trower, was playing the same venue, on the same night, in the smaller Hall Two. In the past I have solved such dilemmas by trying to see both artists, splitting my time between the two.
Sometimes this has worked, such as when I went to see Rush at the City Hall, came out early and went down to the Mayfair just as the Clash came onstage. On another occasion I saw Culture Club at the City Hall at the time of Karma Chameleon, went down to the Mayfair and saw Marillion on an early tour. However, with a bit searching of the Internet I discovered that Richard Thompson was playing in York a couple of days before his Gateshead Glasshouse appearance. So, I decided to see Richard in York on Tuesday and Robin on Thursday in Gateshead. Problem solved!
So, a trip to York it was, along with carers Jackie and Elaine. Our friendly taxi driver took us to Durham station and shortly afterwards, we arrived by train at York. An equally friendly taxi driver then transported us all to the Barbican Theatre. He promised to pick us up at the end of the show. So far, all was well.
Now, I first encountered Richard Thompson when I saw him perform as part of a duo with his then wife Linda, supporting Traffic at Newcastle City Hall in the early 1970s. I then lost touch with Richard and his music until relatively recently. In the last few years, I have seen him perform at Newcastle Tyne Theatre in the aforementioned Glasshouse. I soon realised what I had been missing. The man is an incredible musician, singer, guitarist, and storyteller. He can switch from intricate fingerpicking on an acoustic guitar to beautiful electric guitar. He has a large back catalogue of songs starting with his time as a member of Fairport Convention in the late 1960s through his work with Linda and then his solo career.
The publicity for his 2024 tour read: “Ivor Novello Award-winning and GRAMMY® Award-nominated legend Richard Thompson returns to York with a full band. ‘The finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix’ – Los Angeles Times” Influential. Pioneering. A British folk-rock cornerstone. He’s famed for turning emotions into the lightning-speed fretwork, poetic songwriting and impassioned picking that have filled nineteen solo albums to-date. Thompson has had an illustrious career and it’s still going strong. He holds a coveted spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” He’s even picked up Lifetime Achievement Awards from the BBC and Americana Music Association in Nashville and was awarded an OBE in 2011.”
We arrived at the Barbican with plenty of time for a drink and to catch the support act, solo singer/guitarist Jim Moray, who was a pleasant surprise and warmed up the crowd well. “Should you care to look back over the past two decades of British folk music, one musician in particular stands out for having a singular, idiosyncratic vision that has rarely wavered in style and substance. Jim Moray may have garnered initial attention for his digitally driven approach to traditional music, but reflecting on his seven albums and numerous production credits it’s clear that imagination and invention are the real cornerstones of his work. As Moray embarks on his third decade as a professional musician, he can count career-defining performances at Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall, and WOMAD, and has caught the attention of those in the know along the way. “I love this singer of old ballads”, enthused none other than Iggy Pop.” (From his website).
Richard Thompson was accompanied by full electric band this tour; I am more used to seeing him play solo. This was a pleasant change, the full band added a harder, more electric sound to Richard’s own excellent vocals and guitar playing. The band comprised Richard’s wife on vocals and tambourine, his son (I think) on guitar and long-time Fairport member Dave Mattocks on drums. The set included an acoustic part in the middle.
We managed to catch the entire set (we have often needed to leave early on previous trips to York) which was great. As we left the venue, we rang our (new) friendly York taxi driver and he arrived a few minutes later to take the three of us back to the station in plenty of time to catch our train. No worrying rush on this occasion! Phew. After the usual short ride back to Durham our local friendly taxi driver transported us back home and I was soon comfortable in my bed again.
Setlist was something like this: Freeze; Hard on Me; Withered and Died; The Old Pack Mule; Turning of the Tide; John the Gun; Al Bowlly’s in Heaven; The Day That I Give In; A Man in Need; Take Care the Road You Choose; Singapore Sadie; What’s Left To Lose; Guns Are The Tongues; Tear Stained Letter
Encore: Dimming of the Day; The Bells of Rhymney; Jealous Words
Many thanks to Jackie and Elaine for the photographs, my friendly taxi drivers and the train for making the journey pleasant and effortless and Chris for manipulating the site.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on July 2, 2024 at 3:47 pm
Brilliant! As you well know, Peter, I would love to see RT but it just never quite falls right for me. One day perhaps…
I’m glad too that your taxi runs seemed to go off without any hitches. It must be a nightmare organising transport with specific timings!
Roger 🤘👍
Posted by vintagerock on July 2, 2024 at 3:51 pm
Many thanks Roger yes the logistics of going to concerts is a nightmare sometimes. Luckily this time it all worked well Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on July 3, 2024 at 1:38 pm
I’d love to see Richard Thompson someday too. The setlist looks super, some wonderful songs in there. A great musician and a great songwriter.
Posted by vintagerock on July 5, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Yes he was great Ciaran. Does he ever come to Ireland? Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on July 10, 2024 at 5:14 pm
I think Richard Thompson played in Vicar St in Dublin a few years back. It’s quite a nice venue that holds about 1000 people. I checked his website and it looks like he won’t be in Ireland in 2024 or 2025. I’ll have to settle for your reviews.
Posted by vintagerock on July 10, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Hi Ciaran I feel sure he will return to Ireland at some point. Best wishes Peter
Posted by mike.tulloch@btinternet.com on July 4, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the review of the Richard Thompson show. Reading it, prompted me to play one of my all-time favourite tracks by him â Beeswing.
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted by vintagerock on July 5, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Hi Mike it is also my favourite song
Best wishes Peter