Friday 04 April 2025.

Friday 04 April 2025. DEACON BLUE live at Shepherds Bush Empire. Scottish band Deacon Blue return with their latest album ' The Great Western Road' , which reflects the journey the band has taken and remain honest to the age and experience they all share. I have seen them a dozen times before, as they were regulars at Hammersmith Odeon in the late 1980s/ early 1990s , when I worked front stage security. Deacon Blue have had 12 UK Top 40 singles and two UK Number 1 albums: When The World Knows Your Name in 1989 and the compilation Our Town in 1994. Deacon Blue split up in 1994 with drummer Dougie Vipond becoming a news broadcaster and Ross re-embarking on a solo career, and then reconvened in 1999. The band are celebrating their 40th anniversary . The bands main singers Ricky Ross and his wife are celebrating 35 years of marriage anniversary . They are playing a UK theatre tour in April , then a headlining arena tour later on the year , that includes Wembley Arena. Needless to say , this show sold out very quickly. -------------- A middle aged crowd as expected, who remember Deacon Blue from their heyday period . MARTYN JOSEPH is on stage at 7.30pm for 30 mins. Martyn Joseph (now aged 64 ) is a Welsh singer-songwriter whose music exhibits primarily a brand of Celtic and folk, while his songwriting is often focussed on social lament or protest. From independently releasing his first studio release, I'm Only Beginning, in 1983, Joseph's career has spanned forty years. I have seen him a couple of times before as a support act, as he has supported many big names in his long career He said tonight was the first time that the headline artist had introduced him on stage , which was a nice touch. DEACON BLUE are on stage at 8.30pm for two hours. Six of them on stage , including Ricky Ross and his wife. The new album songs ticked along ok, but the crowd got most excited when the big hits were rolled out, like ' Fergus Sings The Blues', 'Real Gone Kid' and 'Dignity'. Support act Martyn Joseph joined them for the final song of the night, which was a Bob Dylan cover. An enjoyable show. Full DEACON BLUE setliat played tonight.... The Great Western Road Turn Up Your Radio! Queen of the New Year Fergus Sings the Blues Up Hope Closing Time Underneath the Stars A Brighter Star Than You Will Shine Loaded Wages Day Ashore The Hipsters Twist & Shout Not Gonna Be That Girl How We Remember It Bethlehem's Gate When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) Mid Century Modern Late '88 Real Gone Kid He Looks Like Spencer Tracy Now Dignity People Come First Forever Young ( Bob Dylan cover) ( with Martyn Joseph) ------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Thursday 03 April 2025. It was 48 years ago today in 1977 that i saw THE SEX PISTOLS with Sid Vicious play The Screen On The Green, Islington. ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Wednesday 02 April 2025. YOU ME AT SIX live at Brixton Academy . Brit rockers You Me At Six from Surrey , have had solid support from Kerrang magazine over the years. This is one of their London shows on their farewell tour. They are splitting up after releasing eight studio albums. This show sold out two months in advance. They also play two Wembley Arena , following Brixton. Different support bands for all three shows. I saw them headline Wembley Arena in 2012. -------------- The venue ends up being very sold out. A mainly under 40's rock crowd here, with lots of females. MOUTH CULTURE on at 7pm for their 30 mins set. Leicester band played some decent rockin' tunes. The singer quickly took his top off to expose his tattoos. THE BLACKOUT on at 7.45pm for their 30 mins set. Welsh six piece , playing some good heavy tracks. They feature two very lively male vocalists. They have released four studio albums , and split for a bit. YOU ME AT SIX on at 8.55pm for their 1 hour 50 mins set. The band have a full monty stage production with loads of lights , including strobes and neon platforms. They clearly have loads of loyal fans who know all the lyrics. I still don't know any of their tracks. Highlights included ' Night People', and for 'No One Does it Better' , they were joined by the blonde singer from The Blackout . Also good were 'the last two encores of the night ' Reckless' and 'Underdog'....a very enjoyable show.

Posted 1st April 2025