Saxon |

Saxon | Ritz Manchester | 23 April 2013

Support:

The Quireboys

Redline

Nice early 7:20pm start for Redline, but there were still plenty in and down at the front for the opening band’s set. Excellent vocalist, great metal voice with some nice soaring vocals. Sound was muddy and indistinct but then we were right down at the front. Drummer seemed to be lacking sufficient monitor mix (unless his face always looks that pained…?!). Overall not too bad at all.

Last time I saw The Quireboys I was actually supporting them in my own band at a tiny club in Stockport called Monroe’s…their gear was still stencilled with their former bandname of The Queerboys, so that must have been sometime around 1986..or ’87 perhaps…? Great bunch of lads back then and I remember swapping Spinal Tap quotes at the bar. Spike hasn’t changed much (although the headband has now turned into a full headscarf!). Same old Rod Stewart (Faces era) swagger mixed in with a bit of Johnny Depp’s pirate look. Vocals and music still as good, shame they didn’t play ‘Mayfair’ though, always thought that was a top tune. They did do ‘Hey You’ and ‘7 O’clock’ of course. Couple of new ones sounded good, one of which was almost AC/DC in style (and better sounding than most of the recent DC stuff too – is it me or does Brian Johnson sound like a constipated Donald Duck trying to sing AC/DC these days…?)

Onto Saxon: bloody brilliant. Particularly with it being St George’s Day too. A flag with the cross of St George quickly made it onto the stage and was ceremoniously draped across the front of Nigel Glockler’s drum kit. All the classics and a full 2 hour set too. Shame about the overlong drum solo, even though Mr Glockler’s technique and kick drum style is particularly impressive. Thank God we didn’t then get 2 equally pointless guitar solos…(Mr Coverdale take note). Biff was as charming and entertaining as ever and even managed to still hit most of the notes. Took me right back to Manchester Apollo 1981…

Loved it.

Sacrifice
Wheels of Terror
Power and the Glory
Made in Belfast
Rock ‘n’ Roll Gypsy
And the Bands Played On
I’ve Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)
Night of the Wolf
Conquistador
Drum Solo
Broken Heroes
Guardians of the Tomb
Never Surrender
Ride Like the Wind
Crusader
Stand Up and Fight
Dallas 1 PM
747 (Strangers in the Night)
Wheels of Steel
Strong Arm of the Law
Denim and Leather
Princess of the Night