Deacon Blue are a band I have meant to go and see for some time, but to my shame, I have never actually made the effort to do so. When I saw that they were playing at Newcastle Arena I decided It was time to put things right and go along and see what they were like in concert.
From the Newcastle Arena website: “Thirty-five years since their debut single, Dignity, and millions of record sales since, Deacon Blue are digging out all their old 45s – the Top 10s, the favourites, the sing-a-long rarities – and heading on tour, stopping off at Utilita Arena Newcastle.
Vocalist and songwriter Ricky Ross is raring to go on this celebration of Deaon Blue’s brilliant and loyal fans, roaring the Caledonian gospel from the South Coast to the Uplands. He said: “We’ve decided to play a Greatest Hits show with a difference,” he says. “Yes, we intend to play all (or nearly all) the old 45s, but we also want the first half of the evening to be an intimate acoustic performance, the band gathered round the piano with acoustic guitars and whatever Dougie decides to hit. We’ll play some album tracks and reinterpret a few favourites from the back catalogue. We’ll take a short break then come back and make a lot of noise. We hope you can be part of that noise.
Ricky Ross, co-vocalist Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond (drums), Jim Prime (keyboards), Gregor Philp (guitar) and Lewis Gordon (bass) will breathe new life into well-loved songs.”
The 10,000 capacity arena was 90% full and everyone was in a party mood. Deacon Blue performed two sets; the first acoustic and the second electric with a short interval in between.
I was surprised how many songs I recognised. During the first set they played a great acoustic version of their hit single “Chocolate Girl” which is one of my favourite tracks. They also performed a great version of Burt Bacharach’s “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again”. A great start to the evening.
Time for a quick whiskey before the second half. The second half was a massive singalong for the crowd with everyone joining in with all the songs, many of which I recognised. I had not realised how many hits this band has had. Of course, even I recognised and sang along to “Real Gone Kid” and, during the encore “Dignity”. I really enjoyed the concert.
I was pleased that I finally got to see Deacon Blue. I bought a signed biography of singer Ricky Ross to remind me of a lovely evening. Thanks to Elaine for taking the photographs.
Setlist: Set 1: Acoustic: Queen of the New Year; S.H.A.R.O.N.; Chocolate Girl; I Will and I Won’t; Cover From the Sky; A New House; I’ll Never Fall in Love Again; All Over the World.
Set 2: Electric: The Hipsters; Will We Be Lovers; Wages Day; Bethlehem Begins; Your Town; Loaded; Is There No Way Back to You; When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring); City of Love; Real Gone Kid; The Believers; Your Swaying Arms; Raintown; That’s What We Can Do.
Encore: Peace Will Come; Dignity; Fergus Sings the Blues; Keep Me in Your Heart
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