A bit of an adventure to see an old friend and hero. So, Jackie, my taxi driver and I set off early in the evening for a 50+ miles ride up into the wilds of Northumberland to see none other than Edgar Broughton. We travelled up towards Hexham, along a winding road up to Allendale and then a few miles further to Sinderhope where we easily found the High Forest Community Centre a small building set on its own surrounded by lovely fields and wildlife (see picture from website, below). We arrived in plenty of time, around 7 PM (the start time was 7:30 PM).
The staff on the door were very helpful “We’ve been expecting you” and made sure I safely entered the building. They directed me to a space right down the front of the small Hall, sitting close to Edgar himself. Edgar is a great hero of mine since the early 1970s. He was, and is, the original rebel as the T-shirt, which he kindly gave me, proclaims (see image). This guy had no fear in the 70s. He was left-wing, antiestablishment and wore his out–there credentials on his white karate suit (which he always seemed to wear at the time).
As I say I sat next to Edgar, my hero and role model (except I did not have the nerve that he did). So, what could I do but talk to the guy. I had a good chat with Edgar about old times and the first time I saw him perform which was with the Edgar Broughton Band back in 1971 at Sunderland Locarno. I recall being part of a conga trail which weaved its way around the ballroom, up the stairs and across the balcony chanting “Out Demons Out” along with Edgar, Steve Broughton (his brother) on drums and Arthur Grant on bass. Edgar was about to embark on a tour of seaside venues playing on the beach, or close by. The next date was at Redcar beach. However, the local council had banned Edgar and the band from playing there. Edgar told us all that night: “The police are trying to stop us playing at Redcar this weekend. We are going anyway and we will play off the back of a lorry. Please come along to see us. Bring your cars and let’s gridlock all of the roads in Redcar”.
And indeed, he did. I was too young to make my way to Redcar at 14 and had no way to get there. I was there in spirit with you Edgar I told him. The police arrested Edgar and he spent the night in a police cell in the local jail. He wrote a song “Judge Called me a Liar” to commemorate the event. I related the whole story to Edgar. “Yes I remember that day well” and he smiled to me. I also told him how I had seen him many times over the years at Newcastle Mayfair, Sunderland Locarno several times, Newcastle City Hall, the Buxton Festival “It was very wet” Edgar said, and in later years at the City Hall as the Broughtons supporting (Ian) Gillan, in a club at Sheffield, Hull Adelphi club, York Duchess and more recently supporting Roger Chapman at Newcastle Academy. All great memories. Edgar nodded. We chatted on about old times. He kindly signed a CD for me. I moved over to let others talk to Edgar and soon it was time for him to take to the stage.
The hall was small; I would estimate that there was not more than 50 people there and the place was full. The guy who organised the concert came up to see me. “Sorry I was not there when you arrived, I was busy lambing”. Such is rural Northumberland. Edgar sat on a stool not far away from Jackie and me in the centre front of the hall. He sang in his unique soulful voice a clutch of new songs, a few I recognised from recent performances and many from his new CD. His first song was about his brother Steve “We were soldiers together”. Steve sadly recently passed away. You could feel the pain in Edgar’s voice. Other songs were more beautiful. Another I recognise recounted a tale of two people falling in love “Can I dance with you?” (or something like that). Before each song Edgar recounted a story on which the song was based. Each song was challenging, beautiful and soulful. Edgar sang to us directly from his heart.
One particular song was a prequel to the Edgar Broughton Band track “Evening over the Rooftops”. Fascinating. After one song he blew me a kiss. Thank you Edgar. And soon it was over. Edgar Broughton took to the stage around 7:40 PM and concluded his set around 9 PM. After the show I said my goodbyes to my hero, Edgar, and Jackie and I entered our taxi. Our taxi driver informed us that he had been watching lambs, rabbits and deer frisking around in the fields. Wonderful.
We travelled back, this time through the centre of Hexham, and onward into the centre of Newcastle (there was a diversion and the A1 was closed southbound) down Westgate Road and across to Sunderland. I was back in my bed shortly after 11 PM. A wonderful evening. Oh, something I forgot. We asked for a drink and were informed that it was a “Bring your own” bar. One guy kindly said “Don’t worry, here’s a can of Red Stripe you can have”. How kind. But that was the sort of evening, the sort of place, the sort of people it had been. A magical night, with my hero Edgar, who was so friendly and kind to me, in a welcoming venue with such welcoming people. Thank you Edgar. Until next time my friend.
No photos from Jackie and me this time. The concert was so intimate and we were so close to Edgar sitting on his stool in front of us that it just didn’t feel right to take photographs. Instead, I have included a photograph of the venue, my T-shirt, the signed CD and a photograph from Wikimedia Commons of the Edgar Broughton Band at a reunion concert in the 100 Club in London, around the same time that I saw them in Sheffield, probably something like 20 years ago. Time for sleep.
This was a Mini festival of music which started at 4:30 PM! As I had other commitments on the afternoon I could not make the start of the show. I went along at around 7:30 PM just in time to catch the end of 
A massive singalong and a great introduction to our evening. Sadly, we had already missed 
Next up was the Wedding Present who were one of my main reasons for attending, the other being to see 
They were very loud, fast; reminiscent of the noise of The Birthday Party (Nick Cave’s first band); and David’s favourite band at the time of their formation. David is a very charismatic front man. The songs were unfamiliar to me but I greatly enjoyed each of them. Shades of punk and the Clash ran through my mind. They played a lovely loud, fast version of “Make Me Smile (Come up and See Me)” as a tribute to the late, great, sadly missed Steve Harley. Thanks Ciaran for the recommendation. I must see them again.
I have seen Peter Hook several times over the years. Firstly, with the pre-Joy Division band Warsaw, then the legendary Joy Division themselves and several times with New Order. I also saw him in an intimate book launch show where he talked about his career, demonstrated his different bass guitars and signed copies of his book (which I purchased and stored away upstairs in my hoarder’s vault):. As expected, Peter was centre-stage, bass low down almost on his knee (although not quite as low down as it used to be, perhaps) and delivered an excellent set including many Joy Division classics.
One welcome surprise came a few songs into the set. Peter declared (something like this): “I played my second ever gig in this hall. Our first gig, when we were called Warsaw, before we transformed into Joy Division, was in Manchester and we were playing with north-east band Penetration. They kindly offered to let us play with them the following night here so we came up and supported Penetration and the Adverts in this very hall”. Well, you were almost right, Peter, but I was at that concert and I am 100% certain that it was not in the City Hall but it was in the old Guildhall down by the Quayside.
I remember this particular concert very well. I followed Penetration, and many other punk bands at the time, and met Gary, from Penetration by chance outside the Guildhall. He said something like “We were playing in Manchester last night and met this new great band Warsaw. We invited them up to play here tonight”. The lineup was (in order of appearance): Warsaw, Harry Hack and the Big G (local Newcastle punk band), Penetration and headliners the Adverts, featuring Gaye) Advert on base and vocalist and bandleader TV Smith, had just had a hit with “Gary Gilmore’s eyes” (Gary Gilmore was an American killer who was executed in 1976 and the song is about a guy who wakes up in hospital having had an eye transplant and realises he has been given Gilmore’s eyes!) Crazy or what?.
My recollection of Warsaw is very sketchy but I did watch them and thought they were a reasonable new fast punk band. I almost shouted from my vantage point on the wheelchair platform “No Peter it was the Guildhall” but I was too reserved to do so and anyway I don’t think he would have heard me. I have a flyer for the gig somewhere but it doesn’t mention Warsaw at all as they were a late addition to the bill. Peter Hook then proceeded to play a Warsaw song which I’m afraid I did not recognise but sound quite good. Peter also dedicated a song to Steve Harley; the guy is much missed they ended their set with a brilliant rendition of “Love Will Tear us Apart”. Another fantastic singalong.
Peter Hook & the Light Setlist: No Love Lost; Exercise One; Digital; Warsaw; Reaction; Inside the Line; Ice Age; Novelty; Disorder; New Dawn Fades; She’s Lost Control; Shadowplay; Isolation; Twenty Four Hours; Atmosphere; Ceremony; Transmission; Love Will Tear Us Apart
The evening started with a massive and welcome surprise. Jackie, my carer for the evening, enquired of the steward “what time does the concert finish and is there a support act?” I was so pleased and surprised when she returned and said “there is a support act and they are called 
Man continued through various line – up changes, the one constant being the excellent guitarist Micky Jones. When Micky sadly passed away, his son George took on the mantle of lead guitarist and the band continued with original bass player Martin Ace and long-time keyboard player Phil Ryan. I saw this version of the band at the New Roscoe pub in Leeds and they were excellent.
Somewhere along the road, there was a split in the band. Bass player Martin Ace continued his version of the band, inheriting the name Man while Micky Jones’ son George Jones formed his own version of the band Son of Man. Confusing or what! And it was this band, the one and only Son of Man, who were supporting 
George has assembled a great band around his fantastic guitar playing, including an excellent vocalist. They played music from their latest album and also some Man favourites including “Spunk Rock” and “Bananas” which has the amazing lyric: “I like bananas, because they’ve got no bones; I like marijuana, because it gets me stoned”. He even mentioned that the last time one of the songs was played in the City Hall was when Man performed there alongside John Cipollina from the legendary Quicksilver Messenger Service. I remember that particular concert well! And you can probably find a review on my blog somewhere. A great start to the evening.
Could things get better? Yes of course they could. Hawkwind were also one of my favourite bands in the early 70s. I have seen them many times over the years from the days, before they hit the charts with “Silver Machine”, and Stacia danced naked with them on stage. The current tour publicity material guides us through the complex history of Hawkwind: “One of England’s most enduring hard rock bands, Hawkwind were formed in London during the late ’60s, just as art rock was coming into its own. Though lesser known than contemporaries like Pink Floyd, the band is widely hailed as one of space rock’s early pioneers, thanks to seminal albums like 1973’s live opus Space Ritual, and its 1974 studio follow-up In the Hall of the Mountain Grill.
Their potent mix of psychedelia, prog, straight-ahead hard rock, and lyrics steeped in science fiction — particularly the themes and imagery of author Michael Moorcock, who also became a member at various points — and drug effects helped define Hawkwind and separate them from the competition. The group’s history has been marked by a series of confusing lineup changes, as members began an almost revolving-door relationship with the band virtually from the outset. Throughout their many decades and incarnations, founding guitarist Dave Brock has remained Hawkwind’s chief steward, while notable players like Lemmy and Ginger Baker have also enjoyed stints with the band.”
As you will have gathered from the above, the line-up has changed many, many times over the years, the one constant being bandleader Dave Brock. Well, Captain Brock led his family through a selection of Hawkwind tracks old and new including favourites: “The Psychedelic Warlords Disappear in Smoke”, “Spirit of the Age” and “Brainstorm”. No “silver machine” and Dave Brock took a backseat in some of the songs and was not present for the encore (I believe it was said that he was backstage having a cup of tea) but, hey, who cares, this was still Hawkwind at their best.
A marvellous evening spent with two fantastic hippie/psychedelic bands. It doesn’t get much better than this. Many thanks to Jackie for the photographs and to Chris for manipulating the site.
Back in the City Hall with carers Jackie & Jan, along with my daughter Laura who is a fan of the Smiths, Morrisey and 
The crowd, by the way, was absolutely massive: it looked like you could hardly move down there. It was the biggest crowd I have ever seen standing in the City Hall. We were all set for a fantastic evening with tremendous atmosphere.
Gaz Coombes got the proceedings off to a great start. He has a new band and played a clutch of solo material. As far as I am aware, no Supergrass material at all (as for I am aware). Very entertaining. But everyone was there to see the main man Johnny Marr. He came on stage to a massive roar from the crowd.
The publicity for the tour described him thus: “Founding member and songwriting genius of The Smiths, superstar collaborator and sensational solo artist, Johnny Marr is rightly regarded as a bona fide British music icon. He has just released Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr, a collection of songs curated from the last 10 years of his sublime solo output, together with a pair of new tracks, Somewhere and The Answer. The album, which debuted in the UK Top 10, came hot on the heels of Marr’s last studio album, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4and 2023 photography book Marr’s Guitars.”
Johnny took to the stage and truly commanded it. He waved his guitar about and played a selection of songs from his back catalogue including several Smiths songs (Laura counted seven, more than we have ever seen him play before) including “Panic”, “This Charming Man”, “Bigmouth Strikes Again” and “How Soon Is Now?” Great stuff! He closes with the Electronic song “getting away with it”. I am even getting quite familiar with his solo material. An excellent selection of songs drawn from throughout his career.
The encore included an excellent stomping version of Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger”. For the very last song we were once again taken back to the Smiths and “There Is a Light That Never Goes out”. We all agreed that the entire concert was very enjoyable indeed. A great night with a modern icon who is a true hero to Laura and me.
Johnny Marr Setlist: Sensory Street; Generate! Generate!; Panic; New Town Velocity; Spirit Power and Soul; This Charming Man; Somewhere; Walk Into the Sea; The Answer; Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want; Get the Message; Bigmouth Strikes Again; Hi Hello; How Soon Is Now?; Easy Money; Getting Away With It.
My friend John was over from the USA. It was great to meet up with him again and to share memories of concerts that we enjoyed together at Newcastle City Hall in the 1970s. This was the second time I have seen 
So, we were both looking forward to the concert. Elaine was my carer for the evening and John, Elaine and I all went off together in the taxi to the City Hall.
First up as support act was an American band called 
It was standing downstairs, as is often the case in the City Hall these days. As usual, I was perched from a great vantage point on the wheelchair platform. Elaine insisted that John sat next to me on the platform and she also managed to find an empty seat up there also. So, we were all sorted for our hero taking the stage.
Slash is accompanied by a singer, 
The encore was something of a surprise to me. Slash sat down at a pedal steel guitar for a beautiful rendition of Elton John’s “Rocket Man”. Fabulous.
Setlist: The River Is Rising; Driving Rain; Halo; Too Far Gone; Back From Cali; Whatever Gets You By; C’est la vie; Actions Speak Louder Than Words; Always on the Run; Bent to Fly; Avalon; Spirit Love; Don’t Damn Me; Starlight; Wicked Stone; April Fool; Fill My World; Doctor Alibi; You’re a Lie; World on Fire.
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.
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.
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