When Mark Stanway abruptly quit Magnum midway through a tour late in 2016, a significant trinity was broken up, as he had been the longest serving band member after Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin, his keys playing a big part in the band’s sound since 1982.

While the latter two have ploughed on with new band members and kept up their phenomenal recording schedule, in the intervening years the keyboard player has assembled a number of former bandmates, foremost among them Micky Barker, drummer during their most successful period, and other musical chums under the Kingdom of Madness banner, to celebrate the classic years of the original Magnum.

I missed their only pre-pandemic London show, since when there have been a number of lineup changes. Chris Ousey and Tony Martin had been singers but the baton has now been passed to Mark Pascall of Departure and (briefly) Cats in Space, one of the best young UK vocalists around. On this occasion, at least, there was however no Richard Bailey, the original keyboard player and flautist listed on the gig flyer.

They opened with two of the very early Magnum’s most immediate numbers in ‘Changes’, Mark’s keys perfectly setting the tone for the night and ‘Back To Earth’. Yet despite the name anyone hoping for a set focused on the first two albums where Magnum were at their most progressive would have been disappointed as the setlist was more a broad representation of Magnum at their commercial peak, beginning with ‘Just Like An Arrow’, another with Mark S’s keys prominent and ‘Wild Swan’ which was a chance for very able guitarist Alan Bell to show his paces.

I was delighted to hear ‘The Prize’ from the first Magnum album I bought in ‘Eleventh Hour’, although it wasn’t the best version, while ‘Need A Lot of Love’ was the first of many where Mark P tried to engage a disappointingly small crowd in some participation. Without attempting any of Bob Catleys distinctive mannerisms, nor sounding particularly like him, he did an admirable job, his rendition of ‘Soldier of the Line’ being a case in point.

Up to this point he had been supported by noted session singer (and Mark Stanway’s wife) Mo Birch on backing vocals (not to say tambourine and cowbell!) and the arrangement worked really well. But on ‘Les Morts Dansants’ she took over with lead vocals that had an almost Eartha Kitt soulful huskiness on the verses before soaring on the choruses.

Clearly enjoying himself, Mark S introduced some of the songs, his gravelly voice showing a wicked sense of humour, and there were a couple from the days when, hard to believe, Magnum even got on Top of the Pops in ‘Start Talking Love’, and ‘Rocking Chair’, embellished by some tasty extra bass lines from Brian Badhams. The way a friend of mine and fellow longtime Magnum fan looked at each other and grinned broadly spoke volumes.

There were other treats for us diehard fans, notably ‘Love’s A Stranger’ revealing that the original Magnum’s farewell album ‘Rock Art’ is sorely underrated, a point later proved by ‘Tall Ships’ which Mark S said was one of his favourite Magnum songs.

After ‘Only In America’ Micky was given a drum solo, normally my least favourite part of any gig, but fully merited as his ability to switch between power and subtlety combined with facial expressions that suggested he was having fun added to the gig’s enjoyment. Arguably the post reformation Magnum have never truly replaced him.

From here on in, the atmosphere gradually built with ‘Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping) and ‘On A Storytellers Night’, Mo again taking on the lead vocals and nailing it, before just as at every Magnum gig since immemorial their eponymous song ended the set.

With a number of Magnum live favourites yet unplayed- ‘Vigilante’, ‘The Spirit’ and ‘How Far Jerusalem’ to name a few- I was mentally checking off what the encores might be, but the first was a surprise, Mo giving ‘The Lights Burned Out’ the big treatment. But there could only be one fitting song to close in ‘Sacred Hour’ as that long almost symphonic keyboard intro is possibly Mark Stanway’s signature contribution to Magnum.

This was an unusual gig in that whereas many acts spawn either tributes or ex-band members playing their songs, this was the first time I had seen these songs ever performed without the ever present figures of Catley and Clarkin on stage.

Yet Mark Stanway and Micky Barker and their able cohorts did justice to that back catalogue. Most certainly not attempting to compete with the current Magnum, they are keeping those wonderful songs alive, adding a few fresh twists and having fun in the process, and for a long time fan of the band like myself that made for a memorable evening.

Review and Photos by Andy Nathan

Gig review (2019, and interview)

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Power Plays w/c 29 April 2024

BRIGITTE PURDY Sugar Fried Candy (Dirtshack Records)
ATTIC THEORY The Legacy (indie)
THE HOWLERS I Need Your Love (indie)
VELVETEEN QUEEN Bad Reputation (indie)
WILLS AND THE WILLING Scuffed Knees (Smash & Grab Music Ltd)
READY THE PRINCE Still Believe (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 29 April 2024

09:00-12:00 PRAYING MANTIS Defiance (Frontiers)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023

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