Tag Archive: Symphony Hall


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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Brendan Cole Show Man – Birmingham Symphony Hall – Monday March 2 2020

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March 6, 2020

Three years ago, I attended and reviewed Brendan Cole’s All Night Long spectacular at Birmingham Symphony Hall. Now, I always notify parties of my reviews and on that occasion, I was overjoyed to be appreciated by Brendan with his thanks via Twitter. I said, although not particularly a fan of Strictly Come Dancing (It’s more girlfriend, Michelle’s thing), I had thoroughly enjoyed it and would return and review next time. And here I am …

We began with The Greatest Showman and from the same movie – Come Alive. This was to be expected as the event itself was titled, Brendan Cole Show Man. What I didn’t anticipate was the immediate appearance of about thirty or so children singing backing (with moves) to several segments of the show, courtesy of Stagecoach Performing Arts Solihull. It’s no secret, I love the inclusion of kids as they are the future. And what a joy it was to see genuinely elated faces with this possibly being the most magical moment of their lives so far and encouraging them to be stars of the future. Well done, Stagecoach.

But back to Brendan …

After that rousing start, we saw the full spectrum of dance from a waltz with the music of Send in the Clowns to a salsa during Despacito. Other personal favourites of mine were Another Day of Sun (Quickstep) and Purple Rain (Contemporary Rumba). However, my top moment was the beautiful Cinderella which is a lovely story dedicated to Brendan’s daughter, Aurelia, and featuring a member of the Stagecoach choir in Violet. What a moment, indeed, for this young lady. Ending the night with a rousing jive was the always popular, Footloose, and not only were feet moving on stage, just about everyone’s in the audience were too.

Supporting Brendan immensely were his team of dancers including the ever-brilliant Crystal Main along with Kallyanne Brown, Alexandra Busheva, Andrea De Angelis, Antonio Careri, Giancarlo Catenacci and Francesco Sasanelli. Musical Director and pianist was Barry Robinson who deserves much credit for merging these art forms with his excellent band which also included violinist, Brigitta Bognar. Again, like my previous Brendan experience the male vocals were delivered in fine form by Iain Mackenzie and complemented superbly this time by Jenna Lee-James.

And it wasn’t just song and dance. Brendan always engages well with the audience and shows just how much his fans mean to him. Of course, there were also mentions of Strictly, a show where (my opinion) Brendan is much missed now. Plus, the obligatory friendly digs at Anton Du Beke. And Brendan’s mum was in the audience too, which was nice.

I will admit, I still don’t often watch Strictly (I prefer The Greatest Dancer), but I do love a great night’s entertainment and Brendan Cole Show Man was certainly that.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

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Brendan Cole: All Night Long – Birmingham Symphony Hall – 24 March 2017

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April 14, 2017

I’ll admit it now. I know nothing about dance, as my society’s choreographer will testify. I can’t tell a Cha Cha from a Paso Doble. Therefore, you may wonder how I can comment on and review a dance show? Well, there must be others out there like me, so what’s in a show like this for the uneducated? The answer – plenty of entertainment.

Brendan Cole: All Night Long – Birmingham Symphony Hall – 24 March 2017

So, an evening with Strictly Come Dancing’s, Brendan Cole. We had a spectacular opening of a Samba to the song which titled the show – All Night Long. Then followed the Cha Cha with Love Potion Number 9. I was initially worried that being on a stage and not a dance floor, someone might fall off, which then promptly happened when Mr Cole slid at the end of a number and ended in the lap of a woman in the front row. Mind you, I don’t think she minded.

And it wasn’t just Brendan Cole. He was superbly supported by five dancers who went it alone in such routines like I Can’t Stand the Rain, of which the ladies costumes were, ahem, interesting. Certainly had the few men in the audience captivated.

And that’s another thing. About 90% of the audience were women, and of the males I could see, all were older than me. Now, being the youngest man at a gig isn’t something which happens to me a lot these days, but I didn’t feel left out. A Rumba (Fields of Gold), Quickstep (Nine to Five) and Jive (Tell Her About It). All captivated as did the spectacular Argentine Tango to Skyfall.

In between some routines were non-dance songs from singers and the band, the singers being, Iain Mackenzie and Julie Maguire. Musical arrangements were overseen by pianist, Barry Robinson. The cast of dancers for the tour were: Faye Huddleston, Crystal Main, Matt Harris, Craig Jones, Victoria Burke, Sallyrose Beardall and Michael Johnson.

But it wasn’t all about dancing. On the night, we heard tales of the Strictly show with many of the anecdotes referring to politician, Ed Balls, the surprise novelty hit of the previous series. Also, expected quips about fellow dancer and friend of Cole, Anton Du Beke.

So how did the show satisfy an ignoramus? Well, I loved it, and apart from worrying about the women’s dresses igniting during the Paso Doble, my entertainment lasted all night long.

Brendan Cole: All Night Long – Birmingham Symphony Hall – 24 March 2017

Cheers.

Nick

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