It has been many years since I last saw Kiki Dee in concert. It must have been in the early to mid 1970s at Middlesbrough Town Hall around the time she had been in the charts with the lovely, haunting “Amoureuse”, “Star” and “I’ve Got the Music in Me”. All classic songs from a great artist.
So, it was about time I saw Kiki again. Especially as she was playing in a local venue 1719, named so because of the date it opened : “Holy Trinity Church (sometimes Church of the Holy Trinity or Sunderland Parish Church) is an Anglican church building in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear formerly the area’s parish church. It was opened in 1719 as the church for the newly created Parish of Sunderland, and served the local community until dwindling numbers forced its closure in 1988. It has since been in the ownership of the Churches Conservation Trust who have preserved the space and converted it into a community cultural hub.” (Wikipedia). It is now a lovely venue for many events including concerts such as this.
Kiki Dee is now performing with Carmelo Luggeri and has been doing so for several years. She has performed quite a few times in the region and I have been meaning to go and see her. Well tonight I finally did and I am glad I did so.
Kiki’s website explains the current duo thus: “It started out as just another studio day for producer and guitarist, Carmelo Luggeri – until pop legend Kiki Dee came in to put down a vocal …. He’d seen her many times on TV, but once she started singing, he was just blown away by the amazing tone of her unmistakeable voice. Little did he suspect that, from that day on, his musical career was to change for ever And now, 25 years on from that epiphany, the synergy between the two has blossomed, firmly establishing them as one of the UK’s great musical pairings. 2018 saw a year of musical consolidation for the popular duo – Bob Harris wanted them as opening act for the re-booted Whistle Test, and indeed this turned out to be a seminal moment, leading to long overdue recognition and critical acclaim.”
“A large and influential TV audience was delighted to see Kiki not only looking superbly fit, but her unique voice even better than they remembered. Both performers enjoy a heritage which stretches back through decades of fine musicianship, yet in all that time Kiki Carmelo concerts never became a museum piece, a go through-the-motions tribute act.”
1719 is a lovely venue with a great view of the stage. I would estimate that it holds around 100 or so people. Everyone was looking forward to seeing Kiki and Carmelo perform a wonderful set of Kiki hits and covers. They started off with a song that I was not familiar with, followed swiftly by a slowed down version of Kiki singing “Don’t Go Breaking my Heart”. This took me back to when I saw Kiki supporting Queen at the legendary band’s free concert in Hyde Park. Aha so Middlesbrough Town Hall was not actually the last time I saw her. My memory plays tricks on me again. There were lots of rumours flying around Hyde Park that day that Elton would join her on stage to duet with Kiki. However it was not to be. We had to remain satisfied with a cardboard cutout of Elton John (I kid you not).
A few songs on and the duo performed an excellent cover of Kate Bush’s “Running up that Hill”,” Every Kinda People” and a beautiful version of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon”. A short interval followed before the duo returned to perform a lovely rendition of my favourite Kiki Dee song “Amoureuse”. But this is very much a duo. Carmelo is a very accomplished acoustic and electric guitarist and also adds a second vocal to the songs. Next a little surprise. Kiki performs a poignant version of Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To the End of Love” during which she comes down into the audience and waltzes with a lucky guy from the front of the audience. A few songs further on and the audience singalong to “Forward Motion” a tune which is less familiar to me. They conclude the evening with “I’ve Got the Music in Me”. No “Star”. A great performance by two great artists.
I bought a lovely print of the venue. I have also been listening a lot to Kiki Dee’s early material on Fontana records, particularly “Why Don’t I Run Away from You”. There is a wonderful video on YouTube of her performing it in 1965. Please do have a look at it. The lady has been performing since the 1960s and is now 77 years old. She still looks and sounds wonderful. I treated myself to a copy of her early album courtesy of eBay.
Many thanks to Jan for the photos and to Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: What You Wish For; Don’t Go Breaking My Heart; Small Mercies; Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God); Every Kinda People; Harvest Moon; The Long Ride Home; interval (30 minutes); Amoureuse; Dance Me to the End of Love; Amen and Goodbye / She’s Smiling Now (A Mother’s Song) ; Until We Meet Again; Forward Motion; I’ve Got the Music in Me
I go back a long way with 
“Australian beatnik poet Daevid Allen (ex-Soft Machine) began making music with his partner Gilli Smyth in the late 1960s, along with a constantly evolving community of creative musicians. Albums from this period include Magick Brother, Mystic Sister (1969) and the influential Bananamoon (1971) – one of David Bowie’s favourite 20 albums.” (From Gong website).
The current members of Gong are: Fabio Golfetti – lead guitar, vocals (2007, 2012–present), Dave Sturt – bass (2009–present); Ian East – saxophone, flute (2010–present); Kavus Torabi – vocals, guitar (2014–present) and Cheb Nettles – drums (2014–present).
The venue holds a lot of memories for me having seen many bands there over the years going back to the Clash White Riot tour and early concerts by the Cure, Magazine and others. I think the last time I was here was to see Gong. The current band contains relatively new members, but such is the lineage of Gong. Like Hawkwind it is a family collective within which members come and go. However the spirit and ethos of Gong carries through the band members and this was very evident for this concert. We made our way around the back of the crowd towards the left of the stage. Everyone was very kind and allowed us through, right to the front.
The current front man has a look of Marc Bolan about him with curly hair and heavy eye make-up. He was also joined by a lady singer who transformed from an angel like persona into an Indian/Persian look. Fantastic. The music was, as always, heavily psychedelic, trancelike and absolutely mesmerising. One song seemed to blend into another.
During the interval I managed to catch a pint of Guinness and the band kindly signed my ticket (see image). Next up was Ozric Tentacles whose music is less familiar to me. However, as always they provided us with an excellent set of psychedelic music. We left just as they were finishing.
“A campfire at the Stonehenge free festival in 1983 witnessed the birth of Ozric Tentacles. It was there that composer and band leader Ed Wynne (guitar & keyboards), and brother Roly Wynne (bass), who were performing in a group known at the time as ‘Bolshem People’, along with drummer Nick ‘Tig’ Van Gelder (Jamiroquai), stumbled upon keyboardist Joie Hinton. After a session of warming their bones and discussing imaginary breakfast cereals, the group went to perform an impromptu late jam session. Over the course of what became an epic six hour performance, an audience member inquired as to the name of the band. Randomly thinking back to the group’s former conversation, visions of ridiculous mythical mueslis entered Ed’s mind, and consequently he replied; “Ozric Tentacles”. (…Good job too, since some of the previous alternatives had been “Desmond Whisps”, “Gilbert Chunks” and “Malcolm Segments”).” (From Ozric Tentacles website).
Two fantastic bands who are still quite “out there” flying the hippie flag high. The lady next to me had great dreadlocks and was dressed as an angel complete with wings. That sort of sums up the atmosphere of the evening.
The Dubliners are, of course, a legendary band whose back catalogue is extensive and they have recorded many albums throughout their career. I saw them once at Newcastle City Hall with my daughter Laura and her friend and we all had a great singalong evening, along with the rest of the audience! Lots of fun, Irish humour and tremendous Irish tunes.
Unlike many other bands, when the last remaining original member sadly passed, the Dubliners felt it appropriate to rename themselves the 
“Paul Watchorn, one of the best 5 string banjo players in Ireland, toured the world as a member of Derek Warfield’s Sons Of Erin for many years. During the bands 2017 tour of Holland Eamonn took ill and died a short while after the tour. Shay Kavanagh who had been filling in for Eamonn during previous tours came in to help out. Shay has worked with Mary Black, The Dublin City Ramblers & The Furey Brothers”
“In 2012 the Legendary Irish Folk group THE DUBLINERS celebrated 50 glorious years in the music business by receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and rapidly followed it up with a sell-out concert tour of the UK, the highlight of which was a magical night at The Royal Albert Hall in London. Sadly, however, they subsequently suffered a body blow with the sudden tragic death of founding member “Banjo” Barney McKenna.”
“Quite naturally this meant that the remaining members chose to sit down and decide upon the bands future. John Sheahan, after 48 years of touring, decided it was time to step off the tour bus and it was agreed that The Dubliners, as a touring band, would come to an end. THE DUBLIN LEGENDS were born. THE DUBLIN LEGENDS will continue the legacy started by Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke, Barney McKenna & John Sheahan back in Dublin 1962. As Barney himself said “It’s Too Late To Stop Now”.”
The Darlington Hippodrome is a lovely venue and we were seated, as usual, in a box towards the right and with an excellent view of the proceedings. The “lads”, as they call themselves on their website treated us to a couple of sets and a short interval during which I treated myself to a lovely cold pint of draught Guinness (well what else could I drink).
Many years ago I was a Visiting Professor at Dublin Institute of Technology which is now the New Technological University of Dublin. I must have visited Dublin around 50 times over the years. I would take my little short flight from Newcastle airport to Dublin airport, courtesy of British Airways and latterly of Ryanair, arrive at my hotel, check in and then treat myself to a pint of Guinness. The bar tender would always let the Guinness stand and then when deemed ready to do so, they would top up the pint with a lovely white head and a shamrock placed on the top. Exquisite. This would be followed by an Irish whiskey and off to bed. Then in the morning a full Irish breakfast with egg, bacon, sausage, beans, black pudding and white pudding. I can even taste it now.
Then off to the college and meet the staff I was supervising for their PhD studies, another nice lunch with another pint of the black stuff, back to work and later in the day back on my flight home. Happy days. The graduation ceremony took place in the auspicious surroundings of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. I had the honour of seeing my students graduate in the lovely surroundings of the cathedral (image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
Changing the name of the band was a brave move, but does not detract in any way from the authenticity of this group of true Dublin legends. Lots of banjos, fiddles, acoustic guitars and lovely Irish voices all brought together in a highly enjoyable evening of Irish tradition. “As I went home on a Monday night, as drunk, as drunk can be…”, And so it went on….Time for another Guinness (picture courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
This concert sold out pretty quickly. 
But before the proceedings proper began, 
After a short interval the main act took to the stage. It is some years since I have seen Liam perform. I saw Oasis many times: at Bolton football ground, Sunderland Stadium of Light, Sheffield Arena and. Newcastle Arena. I also saw Liam perform with his first post – Oasis band Beady Eye at Manchester Apollo. Anyone going along expecting to see Liam perform Oasis songs would have been disappointed. This was very much a Liam Gallagher concert with the added extra, and excellent, guitar of John Squire. Liam was dressed in his usual parka style top, all swagger with his arms round his back.
Liam played much of his new album which has been recorded with Squire and the songs sounded pretty good on first hearing. Squire was wearing a lovely Paisley shirt looking as if it came straight from Liam’s Pretty Green range (and maybe it did?) The encore was an excellent version of the Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”. Fabulous. Liam through his maracas up to the left hand balcony and his tambourine to the right-hand balcony. A couple of lucky punters got some great memorabilia to show their friends and family.
Liam Gallagher Setlist: Just Another Rainbow; One Day at a Time; I’m a Wheel; Love You Forever; Make It Up as You Go Along; You’re Not the Only One; I’m So Bored; Mars to Liverpool; Mother Nature’s Song; Raise Your Hands.
Jake Bugg Setlist: Strange Creatures; There’s a Beast and We All Feed It; Trouble Town; Me and You ; Seen It All; I Wrote the Book; Taste It; Slumville Sunrise; Simple as This; All Kinds of People; Two Fingers; Lightning Bolt.
It is many years since I last saw 
There was a lot of trouble that night as I recall. Keith Bell, a.k.a. The Sheriff, the manager of the Upstarts stood at the front of the stage keeping the crowd in order. This was at the time of their first album Inflammable Material and great songs such as “Suspect Device” and “Alternative Ulster”. So, roll forward almost 45 years and I am trying to make up for lost time, going to a SLF concert again. The band is once again fronted by Jake Burns. Perfect.
“In 2006, original bassist Ali McMordie returned to the fold, and the line-up has settled to the best ever; Jake Burns on lead vocals and guitar, Ali McMordie on bass, Ian McMallun on guitar, and Steve Grantley on drums. Though focused on their new material, they always play the old favorites at gigs. Jake said, “You have to strike a balance. The difficulty with a band like ourselves is to try not make it sound like a cabaret band.
Obviously, it’d be very easy to go, ‘Hey, here’s another old one you may remember.’ A lot of the old songs the audience greet like old friends. I suppose it’s the same as any band that’s been around for any length of time. And yes, there are nights that we don’t particularly want to play “Alternative Ulster” or “Suspect Device” because we’ve heard them ’til they’re coming out our ears. But there’s always the possibility that somebody out there has never seen the band before, never heard them.”” (From SLF website).
Support came from 
One notable recipient who refrained from promptly tossing it into a bucket of water was John Peel. He played the track repeatedly, ultimately catalyzing a deal with Rough Trade and igniting a career that has endured for nearly 50 years, encompassing countless performances, 10 studio albums, 18 live albums, and only one breakup. 2024 is going to be a big year for Stiff Little Fingers with the “Hate Has No Home Here” tour, which starts in March in the UK.” 
The band were as incendiary as ever opening with “Suspect Device” and closing with “Alternative Ulster”. Along the way we were also treated to great songs including an excellent cover of “Love Of the Common People”, “Wasted Life” and “Nobody’s Hero”. Excellent. Jake Burns was on top form and the band were as powerful as they ever were.
Setlist: Suspect Device; State of Emergency; Fly the Flag; Hate Has No Home Here; At the Edge; Silver Lining; Love of the Common People; Just Fade Away; Last Train From the Wasteland; Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae; Empty Sky; Wasted Life; Get a Life; Strummerville; Nobody’s Hero; Tin Soldiers; Gotta Gettaway.
One year on and much has changed. Last year when I saw the band in the same venue they were at the point of retiring, as a result of the sad passing of original member and fantastic keyboards player Dave Greenfield. His Doors tinged keyboard mastery formed the backdrop and rhythm to many of their classic songs. Remaining founder member Jean Jaques Burnell felt strongly that it was time to call it a day and close 
The other big change was the layout of the City Hall. Last time it was all standing downstairs with the wheelchair area on a raised platform to the rear of the hall, with a great view of the stage. This time it was all seated with wheelchair customers right at the front of the hall. The view was equally good. However it was surprising that the hall was seated rather than standing. Most energetic bands including heavy rock and new wave/punk usually warrant a standing setup. I was surprised at this and the band also seemed somewhat surprised. Nevertheless everything worked well.
Finally the stage setup was amazing with raised platforms for the drummer and keyboard player who sat behind an amazing keyboard arrangement. Everything was set out in grey. It looked wonderful.
The other noticeable change is that Jean Jacques Burnell has taken more of a leading role. It seemed to me that he sang a lot more of the songs and has to some extent reclaimed the legacy of the Stranglers. I could almost hear him saying “this is my band and I am proud to lead it”. And so he should be. Alongside him local lad Sunderland’ s Baz Warne has taken over the space fronting the band which was left by Hugh Cornwell many years ago. And a great job he does of it.
As we got to the end and the encores, Jean Jacques announced “We started in 1974. There are few bands that have been around that long and kept going throughout. We came from the pub rock movement. Some bands seem ashamed of that but we are proud to have been born as a pub rock band. So let us go right back to the start and our first single “Go Buddy Go”. Fantastic. The Stranglers are back and proud to be filling venues like the City Hall again where I saw them over 40 years ago.
Setlist: Set 1: Just Like Nothing on Earth; Hallow to Our Men; The Raven; Baroque Bordello; North Winds; Genetix; Princess of the Streets; Breathe; Hanging Around; Down in the Sewer.
A bit of an adventure in Leeds. I will explain more below.
Next up on this multi-band line–up was 
They had numerous singles in the UK Singles Chart and chart success all over Europe and Japan, as well as success in the United States. During the 1980s, Saxon established themselves among Europe’s most successful metal acts. The band tour regularly and have sold more than 13 million albums worldwide. The band was formed in Barnsley in 1977 by Peter “Biff” Byford on vocals, Paul Quinn and Graham Oliver on guitars, Steve “Dobby” Dawson on bass, Pete Gill on drums and were originally named “Son of a Bitch”. In 1979, the band changed their name to Saxon and signed to French record label Carrere who then released their eponymous debut album.”
It was when they were called “Son of a Bitch” that I first saw the band. They used to play Sunderland Boilermakers club on a Saturday afternoon just before the football match. I would regularly go and see them (but never went to the match). I also recall seeing them at West Cornforth “Doggy” club (don’t ask me why West Cornforth was known locally as “Doggy”: the answer is lost in my memory somewhere). Anyway “Son of a Bitch” were a class act. I then saw them transform into Saxon and gain fame as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.
“‘Wheels of Steel’, released in 1980, charted at #5 in the UK and stayed in those charts for six months. It resulted in two hit songs: the title track and the crowd favourite “747 (Strangers in the Night)”. As a result, Saxon began a series of long UK tours. On 16 August, they earned a positive reception at the first Monsters of Rock festival, commemorated by the following year’s “And the Bands Played On”. Their set was recorded, but not officially released until 2000. In April of that year, Saxon made the first of many appearances on Top of the Pops, performing the hit “Wheels of Steel”.”
Anyway, they were absolutely great and warranted their position as second on the bill. I recognised many of the songs including “Dallas 1 PM” (about the assassination of JFK), “747 (strangers in the night)” and “wheels of steel”. Biff may have white hair these days but he still has a very powerful voice and looks fantastic. Towards the end of the set he brought onto the stage the original (now retired) guitarist. As I recall in the early days, he would have his guitar strapped to his belt and spin it around. It looked pretty impressed back in the day.
Setlist: The Prophecy; Hell, Fire and Damnation; Motorcycle Man; Sacrifice; There’s Something in Roswell; And the Bands Played On; Madame Guillotine; Power and the Glory; Fire and Steel; Dallas 1 PM; 747 (Strangers in the Night); Wheels of Steel; Denim and Leather; Princess of the Night.
After a short interval 
Like Saxon, I go back a long way with Judas Priest. I used to see them play regularly at Sunderland Locarno ballroom. I seem to recall seeing them in the very early days with another singer, before Rob Halford joined the band (or did I dream that?). Then I saw them many times at Newcastle Mayfair and Newcastle City Hall. I recall Rob whipping the audience at one concert: someone caught hold of the whip and almost pulled him into the crowd. They were always extreme loud metal, as they are today. Fantastic. They remain the epitome of heavy metal.
From the arena website: “There are few heavy metal bands that have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest have during their nearly 50-year career. Their presence and influence remains at an all-time high as evidenced by 2018’s ‘Firepower’ being the highest charting album of their career, a 2010 Grammy Award win for ‘Best Metal Performance’, plus being a 2006 VH1 Rock Honors recipient and a 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination.
Judas Priest originally formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ian Hill would be the nucleus of musicians (along with several different drummers over the years) that would go on to change the face of heavy metal. After a ‘feeling out’ period of a couple of albums, 1974’s ‘Rocka Rolla’ and 1976’s ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ this line-up truly hit their stride. The result was a quartet of albums that separated Priest from the rest of the hard rock pack - 1977’s ‘Sin After Sin’, 1978’s ‘Stained Class’ and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’, and 1979’s ‘Unleashed in the East’, which spawned such metal anthems as ‘Sinner’, ‘Diamonds and Rust’, ‘Hell Bent for Leather’, and ‘The Green Manalishi (With the Two-Pronged Crown)’. Also, Priest were one of the first metal bands to exclusively wear leather and studs – a look that began during this era and would eventually be embraced by metal heads throughout the world. “
Setlist: War Pigs (intro, by Black Sabbath); Invincible Shield Tour Anthem; Panic Attackl; You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’; Breaking the Law; Rapid Fire; Lightning Strike; Love Bites; Saints in Hell; Trial by Fire; Turbo Lover; Invincible Shield; Victim of Changes; Metal Gods; The Green Manalishi; Painkiller.
We had to leave early to catch our train. A quick walk down through the streets of Leeds took us to the station. When we arrived the passenger assistance guy was waiting at the station for us. “Your train is cancelled” he explained. We did not believe him at first, but soon we realised it was true. Apparently and sadly, a train had hit a deer somewhere near Northallerton and the line was blocked. Anyway the passenger assistance people guaranteed that they would get us home somehow. I explained that I needed to get back to take my night time medication. The guy then took us straight to the taxi rank at the front of the station and helped us into a wheelchair cab. Jackie, Elaine and I were then up the road through Wetherby and onward on the A1 towards Sunderland. 90 minutes later, at 1 AM I was back in my bed. The end of a fantastic very memorable adventurous evening.
As the title suggests, this was a greatest hits tour. I have seen 
That was, of course, the original lineup of Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. I then saw the later lineup during the period that they hit the chart with “Dreadlock Holiday”. I have not seen them since. So this was me reuniting myself with my old memories of excellent past concerts and the new version of the band fronted by Graham Gouldman.
The website of The Glasshouse proclaimed: “50 years on from their debut album, art pop and soft rock legends 10cc are back on tour. Their live shows are a hit Parade of sing-along classics like “I’m Not in Love,” “Rubber Bullets” and “The Things We Do For Love” that capture the band’s witty lyrics and innovative studio wizardry.”
“Having sold over 15 million albums in the UK alone, 10cc have eleven Top 10 hits to their name, including three No 1 singles – Rubber Bullets, Dreadlock Holiday and the ubiquitous I’m Not In Love – along with Donna (No 2), Art For Art’s Sake and Good Morning Judge (both reaching 5), The Things We Do For Love and I’m Mandy Fly Me (6), and The Wall Street Shuffle (10).”
The new band is led by Graham Gouldman, and also features Rick Fenn (lead guitar, bass), Paul Burgess (drums) – both of whom have been with 10cc since the early years; alongside Keith Hayman (keyboards, guitars, bass,) and Iain Hornal (keyboards).
Particular favourite songs were, for me: “Rubber Bullets” (which closed the evening), a wonderful a cappella version of “Donna”, “I’m Mandy Fly Me” and (of course) “I’m Not in love”. All of which took me back many years to many, many happy memories. At one point a wonderful image of Kevin Godley appeared on the screen. Almost spooky! Excellent.
Setlist: The Second Sitting for the Last Supper; Art for Art’s Sake; Life Is a Minestrone; Good Morning Judge; The Dean and I; Old Wild Men; Clockwork Creep; Feel the Benefit; The Wall Street Shuffle; Floating in Heaven; The Things We Do for Love; Say the Word; Silly Love; I’m Mandy Fly Me; I’m Not in Love; Dreadlock Holiday.
Yes you know the song, don’t you?
From Happening Next: “Look at the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles and you could be forgiven for thinking SMOKIE’s success story was a 1970s phenomenon. After all, 11 of their 14 British hits came in that eventful musical decade. However, their massive success story has continued to flourish around the globe including Scandinavia, South Africa, Germany and even China. Smokie are a band which has sold out tours and gained platinum records in four decades – 70s, 80s, 90s and the present day. A quick recap then on past glories. Smokie first got together at school in Yorkshire in the late 60s. After going through various names and styles, they signed with Mickie Most’s then ultra-hot RAK label and found themselves chartbound. Songs like ‘If You Think You Know How To Love Me’, ‘Don’t Play Your Rock’n’Roll To Me’, ‘It’s Your Life’ and ‘Oh Carol’ (all Top 10 entries) became radio staples and gave Smokie their ticket to travel the world.”
“Smokie continue to be one of the most successful bands in the world today. Recent global events, as well as the devastating news of the passing of Terry Uttley have seen the line-up of today having to change and develop with the addition of Pete Lincoln, formerly of The Sweet on lead vocals, and rhythm Guitar and Luke Bullard, son of Martin Bullard stepping into Terry’s shoes on bass and backing vocals, the legacy of Smokie that was founded by Terry will live on and Smokie look forward to seeing you all on their continuing journey.”
Smokie’s current line – up: Steve Pinnell on drums; Mick McConnell on lead guitar; Pete Lincoln on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Martin Bullard on keyboards and Luke Bullard on bass guitar. Some of the band have been with Smokie from the 1990s, so I guess that means this grouping is pretty authentic. I last saw Pete Lincoln when he was the lead singer in a later version of The Sweet as mentioned above.
But before Smokie we were all treated to a short set by alternative/indie rock band
During the short interval I took the opportunity to purchase a “We sang Who the F**K is Alice with Smokie” T-shirt. Yes they really were selling them.
Setlist: (something like) I’ll Meet You at Midnight; It’s Your Life / Take Good Care of My Baby / Mexican Girl / For a Few Dollars More; (I Just) Died in Your Arms; Wild Wild Angels; Wild Horses; I Don’t Want to Talk About It; Have You Ever Seen the Rain?; Baby It’s You; Boulevard of Broken Dreams; Rose-a-Lee; Needles and Pins; Oh Carol.
Another chance to see a band that is now becoming one of my regular concert experiences. I have seen 
The Fire Station website announced the concert thus: “Fairport Convention have been entertaining music lovers for over half a century, having formed in 1967. During that time, the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes, but one thing has remained the same – Fairport’s passion for performance. This year’s Winter Tour will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new. Fairport Convention have won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’. Their story has been celebrated with television documentaries on BBC Four and Sky Arts. Featuring founding member Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. Fairport will be joined on stage by former member Dave Mattacks on drums.”
Support came from the brilliant 
As we entered the venue I was pleased to meet up with several old friends who I have not seen for some time: three friends all called Ian who had come along together; Mike and Maureen; and Doug all said hello and we had a nice chat about old times. Jackie, Jan and I then headed for the merchandise stand where we were greeted by Dave Pegg who kindly signed programmes for me. Dave is, of course, the longest serving member of Fairport Convention having joined the band in 1970.
After buying drinks (mine was a Guinness) we entered the hall to watch aforementioned support act PlumHall who come with much critical acclaim and were introduced by Fairport violinist Ric Sanders. The plaudits include: 
As is usual for a Fairport concert, the support duo performed for around 30 minutes and then were joined by the main act who performed a song with PlumHall, who then left the stage and Fairport opened their first set with the familiar old to “Walk Awhile”. Next up was a song which I have not seen the band perform for some time, the excellent “Genesis Hall”. The first set concluded with another familiar favourite, “Sloth”.
During the interval I decided to partake in my current favourite tipple; a double espresso with a Jack Daniels shot. A lovely hit which kicked me into the second half of the show. As usual, the band told many comical stories to introduce their familiar, and some not so familiar, folkrock classics, closing with the traditional folk tale of the young “Matty Groves”. But we knew this would not be the end. Fairport returned, accompanied by PlumHall to perform the timeless singalong “Meet on the Ledge”. The female vocals provided by Michelle added to the authenticity of the song. Still magical after all these years.
Another great performance by the true purveyors of folkrock. Thanks to Jackie for the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site.
Set Two: Don’t Reveal My Name; The Happy Man; Crazy Man Michael; The Year of Fifty Nine; I’m Already There; Polly on the Shore; Steampunkery; The Hiring Fair; Matty Groves.
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