Gig review: STRAY- Half Moon, Putney, London, 4 October 2026

October 10th, 2026 by andynathan

A daytime show becomes an increasingly appealing option as we all get older, and this one at the Half Moon with enduring UK heavy rockers Stray was less ‘Saturday Morning Pictures’, to quote their landmark album, as Sunday afternoon matinee.

However any thoughts that the veterans (and a few somewhat younger bucks) on stage might be taking it easy were dispelled from the off. When founder member Del Bromham launched straight into the blistering riffs of ‘Time Machine’, it was as thrilling as it must have been when first released back in 1970, before a mid song section where he burned rapidly up and down the fretboard.

It was hard to believe but ‘After the Storm’ was better still: another huge riff seemed even bigger with the muscular force of long-time drummer Karl Randall, there was some sterling work on the wah-wah pedal from Del and even when the song seemed to have ended it burst back into life with a coda. It was great to move from that familiar number from the aforementioned ‘Saturday Morning Pictures’ to another from that classic album that rarely gets played live in ‘Move That Wigwam’, with yet more interesting riffs and three-part vocals with Del in harmony with bassist Colin Kempster, whose moves were always stylish, and Pete Dyer.

The latter got to sing a few in the set from his time fronting the band in the mid seventies, starting with the funky ‘Give a Little Bit’ which represented a change of pace, while another oldie in ‘Son of the Father’ had a little bit of everything from the Mellotron inspired intro from Simon Rinaldo, an anti- war message and a pastoral opening that then sparked into life with a galloping bass riff.

There was also plenty of Del’s quick wit and music hall humour, much of it cultural references aimed at the older crowd in attendance, though some of his and Pete’s humour might have been ‘cancelled’ by today’s more sensitive youngsters.

His guitar prowess can overlook the fact he is a more than decent vocalist, probably singing better with age, and with lyrics that often address political and historical issues. Both ‘1600 Pennsylvania Avenue’ and the story of the deserter shot for cowardice, ‘Harry Farr’ were cases in point, though in both cases still featuring long and melodic solos of great quality.

The set had been gradually moving forward chronologically to a pair from their most recent album ‘About Time’, and both showed the benefits of the band expanding from three to five members over the past few years. ‘Living the Dream’ gave more prominence to Simon’s keyboards as well as boasting a very catchy chorus and ‘Black Sun’ had a hard rocking Purple family tree feel, while both featured Pete contributing harmony lead guitar with Del.

Indeed during the tongue in cheek ‘Percy the Pimp’, another sung by Pete, the two were pulling twin poses. The set ended with a couple of epics, ‘I Believe It’ building from Simon’s keyboard intro and extending to eight minutes with a searing solo from Del, who was then in full on guitar hero mode with the vintage sounds of an eleven minute ‘All In Your Mind’, the song whose cover by Maiden arguably brought Stray’s name back into prominence.

There was a more commercial encore in ‘Houdini’ – more usually a set opener- with Pete and Del sharing vocals and guitars, and with the gig over at 345pm there was plenty of time to chat before heading off for a curry.

It had been a career spanning set of over 55 years of music. Though I wasn’t old enough to see the band’s original incarnation I find it hard to believe they can have been quite as good as the current line up. Go and see this seasoned act so full of vitality when you can.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

This is the first show broadcast on 27 September. Josh presents some of his inspirational artists and tracks.

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 20 September 2026.

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Power Plays w/c 28 September 2026

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR – Halo (Frontiers)
THUNDERMOTHER Bimbo Boost (Napalm Records)
ELYSION Dead Loves (Massacre Records)
CHRIS JOHNSON & THE HOLLYWOOD HILLBILLIES Till The End Of Time (Rustbelt Electric)
LAKE Ordinary People (indie)
CRASHING WAYWARD Bullet For Heart (Golden Robot Records)
DEAD POET SOCIETY Miami For The Weekend (Spinefarm)

Featured Albums w/c 28 September 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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