Tag Archive: Rock


Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 7 July 2026

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August 18, 2026

*** Many apologies for the delay in this review. I have had quite a few issues of late. ***

I love rock and roll,
so put another dime in the jukebox, baby.
I love rock and roll,
so come and take your time and dance with me.

When Joan Jett announced her first headline tour in 16 years, I knew I had to go. Like many artists who have been around since the 1970s, you do wonder how many more opportunities you will get to see them. So, third time for me with Joan and as good as ever. Better, in fact.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 7 July 2026

Kicking off with Victim of Circumstance, we were then treated to two numbers from Joan’s time with the groundbreaking all female band, The Runaways in Cherry Bomb and You Drive Me Wild. Then, we had hit after hit with the likes of (I’m Gonna) Run Away, Love is Pain and I Hate Myself for Loving You. Of course, it was obligatory that she would perform Bad Reputation and I Love Rock and Roll, which came towards the end of the evening, but my personal favourites of the night were The French Song and Fake Friends. French Song just shows the influence of JJ and the Blackhearts as you can hear the riffs in one of my other favourite bands – Green Day. Fake Friends was more a guilty pleasure, as it totally summed up how those I thought were friends, threw me under a bus a few years back. I guess that we have all been through it sometime or other.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 7 July 2026

Not known for vast interaction with the audience, Joan Jett let the music do the talking for most of the show, but it was nice to hear from producing legend, Kenny Laguna (Keys and percussion), reminding us of the influence that he has had over the years.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 7 July 2026

Hopefully, Joan will be around for a long time to come. She is only 67 after all, having begun her Runaways career at a ridiculously young age. But there was no sign of current age on view, or of slowing down. Joan Jet and the Blackhearts rocked Wolverhampton from start to finish, and here’s hoping for more in years to come.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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Foo Fighters — Anfield Stadium, Liverpool — 25 June 2026

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*** Many apologies for the delay in this review. I have had quite a few issues of late. ***

I was determined to hate Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. You see, back in the days when I gave a toss about football, in 1979, my worst experience happened when at the age of 15 I was kicked to pieces by men in their 30s and 40s. It was also the worst racist abuse I have heard directed at black players (to this day). Not just a few, 50,000 of them. However, after the horrible experience of Villa Park seeing the Foo Fighters two years ago with the worst venue ever for a stadium gig, Anfield was the best. Friendly, helpful staff, low queues, loads of toilets, clean, and decent food (for a football ground). Two years ago in Aston, the sound was terrible, but this time every word and chord of the Foo Fighters was clear as they rocked the Liverpool stage.

Foo Fighters — Anfield Stadium, Liverpool — 25 June 2026

Kicking off with All My Life, a packed audience were on their feet most of the night for Dave Grohl and the band, hearing hit after hit including The Pretender, Times Like These, My Hero, Learn to Fly and Walk. A short foray to the B-Stage for an acoustic set which included Wheels, Big Me and Under You. And then back to the main with Monkey Wrench, Breakout and Aurora (dedicated to Taylor Hawkins).

Foo Fighters — Anfield Stadium, Liverpool — 25 June 2026

The Foo Fighters, in the earlier times that I have seen them, have always had big guest appearances. This time, it was a guy from (apparently) the crowd who solved a cube puzzle to play a song. He took the drums and boy, could he do them well, and all on his 18th Birthday. Of course, it was a setup. His name was Max and he is Dave Grohl’s daughter’s boyfriend. But it was a cool moment anyway.

Foo Fighters — Anfield Stadium, Liverpool — 25 June 2026

The obligatory encore included The Teacher, about Dave’s late mother, and we ended the night with Everlong, accompanied by a massive firework display. One thing I always love about going to see the Foo Fighters is the crowd singing parts of a certain song as they leave. This was the seventh time I have seen the Foos, and I have to say, the best yet from start to finish. I cannot remember a single negative. The band ended the main set before the encore with the classic Best of You, and I can honestly say that those watching got the best of them.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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Suzi Quatro — Symphony Hall, Birmingham — 19 April 2026

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May 6, 2026

This one was over 50 years in coming, a lifetime after I first heard the drum beat of Can the Can. Suzi Quatro is now 75 and I can only hope I have that much energy in thirteen years’ time. Okay, maybe not as raucous as 1973, but still a great voice and hitting that bass with profound effect. With a full band and backing singers whose names I can unfortunately not recall, Symphony Hall roared from start to finish.

Suzi Quatro — Symphony Hall, Birmingham — 19 April 2026

Launching into The Wild One, the show had two long sets giving you hit after hit among many other tracks. In addition to the two already mentioned, we had Devil Gate Drive, 48 Crash, Stumbling In, If You Can’t Give Me Love and She’s in Love with You, and many more, as they used to say in the 70s on the old K-Tel adverts. Other personal favourites of mine were Daytona Demon, Mama’s Boy, and Little Miss Lovely. However, covers of Slow Down (Larry Williams), Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Rockin’ in the Free World (Neil Young) and Sweet Little Rock and Roller (Chuck Berry) were also top drawer.

Suzi Quatro — Symphony Hall, Birmingham — 19 April 2026 Photo © Antony N Britt 2026

The night gave us a pure nostalgia fest and proved Suzi can still rock us other oldies (as most of the audience were) and still pull off the denim and leathers. As well as the music, there were stories and history with Ms Quatro really connecting with the crowd. From the early years as a singer with her sister in The Pleasure Seekers, Quatro tells of contacting Micky Most and heading to the UK where she became the star she still is today. Tales of TV including Happy Days (Happy memories as Leather Tuscadero) and being killed off in Midsommer Murders. Mind you, not listening to mainstream radio for 40 years I had no idea she spent 15 with her own show on BBC Radio 2. My musical theatre experience, unfortunately, never brought me to see her in Annie Get Your Gun in 1986, but I do have the cast recording, as I do all of her albums.

Suzi Quatro — Symphony Hall, Birmingham — 19 April 2026 Photo © Antony N Britt 2026

Although the late 70s was when I was in my teens and discovering my taste in music, the era of Quatro, Slade, The Sweet and T Rex helped form those likes for the future, and Suzi played a huge part in that. And I can only say, thank you, Suzi. A great night out.

Suzi Quatro — Symphony Hall, Birmingham — 19 April 2026 Photo © Antony N Britt 2026

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

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April 3, 2026

Life was good for a short while. 
Hot sweet nights days that were fine. 
Spent many hours just looking at you. 
Heart stopped beating for a moment or two. 
Long black veil now you are mine.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

Stranglers guitarist for 26 years with the latter twenty fronting many of the vocals; Baz Warne is a legend to those fans who are grateful for the longevity of the band. I am lucky that many of my favourites have lasted decades, producing new music and still touring, and The Stranglers lead the way in this, myself having seen them 23 times in all incarnations. Now that may seem a lot but judging by the Q&A session at the end, I am a mere novice as there are those whose attendance is in the hundreds and have followed them all over the world. In fact, Baz is on first name terms with many of these admirable souls.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

Following the 2025 release of his book, No Grass Grows on a Busy Street, Warne embarked on this tour (Convivial) which is described as a seated run of shows blending songs, conversation, and audience questions in an informal setting. Somewhere between a book tour and a gig with each night unfolding differently. I have deliberately avoided reading the book until now because I wanted to hear as much as I could fresh, and I was not disappointed. What is immediately clear is that Warne is a genuinely honest and open top guy.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

Interspersed between an excellent casual conversation with WCRFM’s Garry Foster, Warne treated a packed audience to seven acoustic songs. These were Long Black Veil, Peaches, Breathe, And If You Should See Dave, Bear Cage, The Lines and Goodbye Toulouse. All were excellent, and poignant in the tribute song as you could feel the emotion at the loss of Dave Greenfield from Covid in 2020 which followers still feel now. But there was also humour in abundance, especially with impersonations and tongue in cheek references to current and past band members. Some genuinely kind words were said about the songwriting of Hugh Cornwell, which is important as although the show goes on, and that era is long in the past, the legacy always needs recognising. I do think, though, the band are now better live than ever, and much of that is down to Baz Warne including the excellent standard of studio albums produced over the past couple of decades.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

What did we learn? A snapshot would be that Baz Warne loves Status Quo, his favourite cheese is Red Leicester and that former band member, John Ellis is a cunt. Overall, though, Baz comes across as humble and grateful to the fans, as we are to him. And in a photo opportunity at the end where he gave his time to all who queued, I told him after following The Stranglers since 1977, through times they could have folded, he has helped keep the magic alive. And for that, I can only say thank you.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

Cheers.

Baz Warne — Convivial — Wolverhampton Arts Centre — 7 March 2026

Antony N Britt

*Some photos blatantly stolen from Garry Foster’s Facebook page.

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Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

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January 13, 2026

* Apologies for the time it has taken to produce this review, I have been fully occupied with auditions for my own production but can now breathe once more. *

Thank you for the days,
those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
I’m thinking of the days.
I won’t forget a single day, believe me.

Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

The Kinks, a band which led to thousands in the 1960s picking up a guitar and learning to play. And why not? Those opening chords of You Really Got Me are enough to get anyone hooked. Simple, if you know how, but so effective. And I had no hesitation going to see Sunny Afternoon with original music, lyrics and story by Kinks legend, Ray Davies and book from Joe Penhall. The show does what it says on the tin, basically; the story of the formation, success, and those behind the music. No band’s history is ever strife-free, and The Kinks were no exception. For those who thought rock sibling rivalry began with the Gallaghers in Oasis, then research the Kinks with Ray and Dave Davies.

Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

The first thing to note in this production is that most of the instruments are played onstage by the actors, adding to that rock gig feel. It is a format I have seen many times before and one which always works well. You really feel immersed in the experience, the music near pulling you up on stage and it is no surprise that the auditorium was rocking from start to finish. Well, it really got me, if you forgive the awful pun.

Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

A Well Respected Man, Dead End Street, Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Stop Your Sobbing, Where Have All the Good Times Gone, I Go to Sleep, I’m Not Like Everybody Else, and of course, Sunny Afternoon. And it doesn’t stop there. The massive Waterloo Sunset, All Day and All of the Night, Lola, Tired of Waiting and finally, an acapella version of Days. Now I am not a fan of that medium, but this worked, signifying the parting between the band and their management team.

Immense on stage were Danny Horn (Ray Davies), Oliver Hoare (Dave Davies), Harry Curley (Peter Quaife) and Zakarie Stokes (Mick Avory). Supporting well, though were Lisa Wright (Rasa) Phil Corbitt (Mr Davies), Sorrel Jordan (Mrs Davies), Alisdair Craig (Larry Page), and Ben Caplan (Eddie Kassner) among others.

Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

Sunny Afternoon did its job for me. The next day I had The Kinks coming through the Bluetooth Speaker, reliving the show. They were (and still are) a great band. Many who may not be that familiar with the The Kinks will be surprised just how many songs they know when they hear them. I’ve seen a few jukebox musicals and this was the best of them all. Touring the UK until May 2026, so there are plenty of opportunities to inhale a part of musical history. I highly recommend it.

Sunny Afternoon —The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham — 25 October 2025

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos taken from the public domain and may not be representative of the performance reviewed.

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Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024

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July 30, 2024

I had never seen Garbage before. I did come perilously close a few years ago as they were due to support Blondie, but when that Covid-affected gig was rearranged, Garbage were unavailable. Therefore, once I heard they were touring again I was at the front of the queue. Unfinished business, you see.

Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024

Garbage; an American/Scottish combination with lead singer, Shirley Manson hailing from Edinburgh, and a Wisconsin trio of Duke Erikson (Guitar/Keys), Steve Marker (Guitar/Keys) and Butch Vig (Drums). Also, on tour we had Ginger Pooley (of Smashing Pumpkins) on Bass and backing vocals. Their musical style has been described widely from Alternative or Electropop, to Post-Grunge. I like to think of them simply as a banging rock band who would make any road-trip pass quickly. They are one of the best bands of the last 30 years. Heck, you don’t get a Bond Movie theme tune gig unless you’re at the top of your game.

Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

I at once warmed to Manson during her between songs speeches. Tales of mental illness and one reference of being the person the family never knew what to do with. Yes, by the end, I had quite the affinity, even empathising with Manson’s continuous pacing in a circle on numerous occasions. Opening with #1 Crush and Godhead, we then had two of my favourites in I Think I’m Paranoid and Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go). I have got to say, it’s not often you get a show which grips and rocks you from beginning to end, but this one did.

Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Great numbers continued to come: Special, The Men Who Rule the World, Hammering in My Head and The Creeps, before the poignant Bleed Like Me and arguably their most recognisable tune outside of fandom in Stupid Girl. There was a Siouxsie and the Banshees cover of Cities in the Dust before unleashing the 30-year-old debut single, Vow. Wow! We also had When I Grow Up, Push It and one of the most kick-ass songs of all time in Why Do You Love Me? Garbage then departed the stage, returning after a few minutes for the encore we all knew was going to happen. There, we were treated to a further two monsters in Milk and Only Happy When It Rains.

Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

It’s easy for the uneducated to think of Garbage as solely being Shirley Manson, but this is a team, each member, plus Pooley, giving it all. Manson told the crowd that this was the 6th time playing at The Halls in Wolverhampton, although remarking that the place looked a whole lot better since its recent revamp. Understatement of the year to all of us who knew the Wolverhampton Civic. But reference was also made to their advancing years. Manson is 57 and the rest of the band even older. Commenting on not knowing what the future holds, Manson said this gig might turn out to be the last they ever play at the venue, but they really hope not, and that they may be back one day. We hope so too.

Garbage — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Cheers

Antony N Britt 

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Lucia and the Best Boys — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024

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Every now and then you go to see a band you like and come across a gem that you have never heard of before. This was the case at The Halls in Wolverhampton when I turned up to watch Garbage.

Lucia and the Best Boys — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Lucia and the Best Boys hail from Glasgow and have been around about 8 years, so we were told, and released their debut album, (Burning Castles) last year. I am led to believe this new material was a departure from earlier guitar shredding tunes with grunge influences. Now, the more elemental electro pop music draws from experiences growing up, mixing with empowerment and a blast of Scottish heritage. The result is a hypnotic sound unleashing the forces of nature with an air of mysticism and magic to enchanting indie-rock. More importantly, they deliver excellent songs in both music and lyrics.

Lucia and the Best Boys — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Launching their small support set with When You Dress Up, the appropriately titled Haunt You Back followed before my favourite song of the night in Angels Cry Too. All three came from the Burning Castles album before a new song in Picking Petals. This, as with the album songs, plus, So Sweet I Could Die which followed was written in the far north of Scotland on the Isle of Lewis, in a little croft which seems to have inspired the new sounds. This information was relayed by lead singer, Lucia Fairfull who also told as to how they came to be supporting Garbage. This was a combination of fandom, mutual respect and admiration, plus a fair amount of social media networking. And I am so glad of this because otherwise I would never have discovered this wonderful band.

Lucia and the Best Boys — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Joining Fairfull on stage were Ally Scott, Christopher Ballantyne and Adam Campbell. Lucia and the Best Boys ended their set with Forever Forget and Perfectly Untrue to massive applause from those who had initially come only to see Garbage. However, like myself (who has already bought the back catalogue), these new admirers will join the fan club and continue to follow their progress.

Lucia and the Best Boys — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 17 July 2024

Cheers

Antony N Britt 

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Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024

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July 8, 2024

Last time I saw Foo Fighters it was an emotional experience, with the then recent and (still to this day) devastating loss of Taylor Hawkins. And it was on that day two years ago that Josh Freese opened the drumming of main set. Therefore, out of all the guest artists, it was no surprise when it was announced who the new full-time drummer would be.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024

First off, get the negatives out of the way. Negatives! How can any Foo Fighters gig have a negative? Well, Villa Park for a start. I must have drawn the short straw out of the three stands of seating because the Doug Ellis Stand was poor. No food, warm drinks, 50+ queues for the each of the female toilets, most cramped seats in an arena ever, and a rear concourse where several thousand had to navigate and was about the width of my living room. People were getting crushed and having panic attacks, but I was suitably informed by a local, “You think this is bad, you should see it on match days.” The other downside was the sound being a bit iffy. A heck of a lot of feedback to the point I could barely understand a word Dave Grohl said all night. And we all want to hear the Grohl.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Kicking off with All My Life, we then entered more recent territory and songs which were not available or played at the tribute. No Son of Mine and Rescued tell us what every long-lasting fan would want to hear, that new material is as good as anything before. The staples then continued with The Pretender, broken by an interlude of Stairway to Heaven which Grohl threatened to play in full unless a little crowd disturbance ceased. Thankfully, the ploy worked, and we got a mix of hits and new material: Walk, Times Like These, Breakout and My Hero interspersed with La Dee Da, Nothing at All and Under You from the 2023 album, But Here We Are. Also, from that album we had The Teacher. 10-minutes’ long and a tribute to Dave Grohl’s mother who died shortly after Taylor.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Now, the Foos are known for having A-List guest stars at their gigs and this time it was local lad Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath fame (who used to live three streets away). Joining on bass, the crowd were treated to a full-blooded beast of a rendition of Paranoid. There was also another (and more poignant) guest in the form of Taylor Hawkins’ son, Shane Hawkins, last seen at his dad’s tribute in 2022. One month short of turning 18, the energy of his father was there for all to see during This Is a Call, and he looked and sounded as if he would be at home in any top band.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Monkey Wrench, Best of You, These Days and Learn to Fly were there, as was one of my favourites, The Sky is a Neighbourhood. One other song to note is Aurora, Taylor’s most loved Foo Fighters song which is played at all gigs now in tribute.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Rounding off the night was, as always, Everlong, and the crowd went wild. Sound issues and shitty stadium aside, it was a great night and Dave Grohl promised to be back. “As long as you guys keep turning up, we’ll keep playing.” I’ll settle for that. The world is not done with the Foo Fighters yet. Not by a long way.

Foo Fighters — Villa Park — 27 June 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024  

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April 4, 2024

Whatever happened to all the heroes?
All the Shakespearoes?
They watched their Rome burn.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

50 years. This was my 23rd outing seeing The Stranglers and like every time for the past ten, I wonder if it will be my last. Sure, they’ve survived and thrived since the departure of Hugh Cornwell 34 years ago. And that’s a statement to their longevity itself, despite a small number who still believe that is when the band ended. Heck, even a recent episode of TV’s Mastermind had a contestant whose specialist subject was The Stranglers, but only 1974 to 1990. Come on, if they were real fans, they would acknowledge The Stranglers are as strong now as ever. Certainly better live with Baz Warne, currently with the band for 24 years (far longer than Cornwell) and playing to huge, sell-out crowds.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

They have also survived the 1990s doldrums, then survived the retirement of the late Jet Black, and finally, survived the death of Dave Greenfield which I thought they’d never get past. But there they still are. Entertaining and taking me to heaven. Like they have done throughout all the incarnations. And I have seen the lot. I know it will one day end, but as long as Jean-Jaques Burnell is willing and able, I hope to always have just one more tour. And along with Warne, Jim Macaulay and Toby Hounsham, JJ still delivers the magic, this time on tour taking more of the forefront than recent years in engaging with the audience.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

For the 50 Years in Black tour, there was no support, just two packed sets from the guys lasting well over two hours. Starting with Just Like Nothing on Earth, we then had for the first time of my hearing, the final track from The Gospel According to the Men in Black in Hallow to Our Craft. JJ dedicated The Raven to Dave and Jet before continuing in a wide spectrum of classics, all familiar and intimate to me and ending the initial set with Hanging Around and Down in the Sewer. Nice to see Toby take on DG’s role of vocals in Genetix as well.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

After a short break, the ante was well and truly upped, entering to the staple Waltz in Black before Who Wants the World, Dagenham Dave and Duchess. Then, Peaches, Golden Brown, Always the Sun, Something Better Change, Five Minutes and Tank, they were all there (Strangely, no Grip, though). We also had White Stallion from their most recent studio album, Dark Matters, as well as Relentless, which I believe is the most played post Hugh song at gigs these days.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024 © Antony N Britt 2024

Then, returning for an encore which everybody knew would happen (besides, we know where they live), the band finished with the song billed as The Stranglers oldest track in Go Buddy Go before the regular finisher and No More Heroes. I am always thankful that I still do have my heroes and pray that continues just a little longer at least. What an amazing gig from an amazing band.

The Stranglers: Fifty Years in Black — The Halls, Wolverhampton — 16 March 2024

Cheers.

Antony N Britt.

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Sweet — Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton — 2 December 2023

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December 16, 2023

Everybody wants a piece of the action. 
Everybody needs a main attraction. 
I’ve done what everybody needs. 
Satisfaction guarantees.

From an early age, I was always into rock and one of the first bands to register as I began to take music seriously was The Sweet. Now, 50 years later, and with only one member remaining from the classic lineup, I tasted something Sweet for the second time.

Sweet — Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton — 2 December 2023 © Antony N Britt 2023

It’s a credit to Andy Scott that he doesn’t just roll out the old favourites. Sure, a lot were on view but also more recent and even new tracks from their forthcoming album. Yes, we all remember the Glam Rock images but there was always much more to Sweet than the commercial image promoted in the 70s with the (still marvellous) tunes from Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman. Having moved away from their writers in the mid 70s, a bold direction after so much success, we saw the harder rock which is still being produced today.

Sweet — Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton — 2 December 2023 © Antony N Britt 2023

Although Scott is the only remaining (and living) member of the most commercially successful lineup, this is still Sweet. The spirit is the same, the energy is the same, and the sound is the same. On vocals and guitar was Paul Manzi who after standing in for Tony O’Hora on tour in 2014, became a full-time member four years ago and boy can this guy front a band. Then, on bass, and outed by Scott as a West Bromwich Albion fan to the enemy in Wolverhampton, we had the excellent Lee Small. Completing the five-piece is Tom Cory (Keys and Guitar) and Adam Booth (Drums). Phenomenal.

The Action began with that very same-named banging tune and that action did not stop all night. New York Groove (from the acclaimed 2020 album, Isolation Boulevard) followed this before Hell Raiser, Burn on the Flame and The Six Teens. The latter two from the 1974 outing, Desolation Boulevard.

Sweet — Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton — 2 December 2023 © Antony N Britt 2023

Mid set, Scott took a break, leaving the rest of the band to a trio of early hits in Co-Co, Funny Funny and Poppa Joe. After saying to the audience that when he heard them in rehearsals, they sounded so good he didn’t want to interfere, I did question the explanation as the last time I saw Sweet in 2005, I am sure these tunes were treated with derision. However, they went down a storm with the crowd, as did the run in to the end with Teenage Rampage, Wig Wam Bam, Little Willy, Love is Like Oxygen and Fox on the Run. Rounding off, Sweet gave the crowd what they were waiting for with a Blockbuster finale then a Ballroom Blitz of explosive proportions.

A new album is promised for 2024 with hopefully more shows on the road. Catch them while you can, Sweet still deliver.

Sweet — Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton — 2 December 2023

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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