One sure sign of life getting back to normal post Covid is Status Quo rocking into the Christmas period with their festive concerts. Long a staple of the Winter touring schedule, Quo’s annual jaunt is much anticipated and as predicted the Glasgow date had the ‘Sold Out’ signs up not long after the dates were announced.

Speaking of all things festive, one main stay of any Christmas playlist is Shakin’ Stevens, so who better to open tonight’s proceedings. Shakey is now in his seventies, but vocally he is still on form, although he had a couple of backing singers in tow to pick up any slack.

His set contained many highlights, including a good cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’ which went down well. It was the hits, however, that got the crowd up on its feet to dance along. Those of a certain age will have fond memories of ‘Green Door’, ‘Marie, Marie’, and ‘This Ole House’, but only one song could make the night.

Keeping the best until last, the jingle bells were broken out and Shakey kicked into ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’. The crowd took to their feet on mass and the Christmas spirit was alive and well in the Auditorium, all we needed was Mr Claus to nip in and all would be complete! However, we just had to do with a quick reprise as an encore before the Welsh Elvis left the stage. A fun start to the night.

As the lights dimmed the PA blasted out Quo’s intro music with snippets of hits of yesteryear and the band took to the stage with little fuss. Richie Malone now occupies the spot sadly vacated by the passing of Rick Parfitt and over the last few years he has proved himself more than worthy of his position stage right. As he cranked out the opening chords of ‘Caroline’ I am sure a few in the crowd raised a glass to absent friends…

Tonight, though, was all about the here and now and a celebration of being able to rock again after the last few years. Francis Rossi led the band through the first few numbers which included ‘Rain’ and ‘Softer Ride’, harking back to the days of the Frantic Four and nights at the Glasgow Apollo. Things were then brought more up to date (sort of) with ‘Beginning Of The End’ followed by ‘Hold You Back’ which had aging men jumping about enthusiastically, I was surprised no one put their back out!

Francis was on good form and laughed and joked with the crowd throughout. He has always had a great rapport with the Glasgow crowd and the banter flowed all evening.

The setlist this year threw up a few curveballs in the song selection front reflecting the bands latest compilation album ‘Quo’ing In’. ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘n’ You’ was good to hear, but it was the inclusion of ‘Twenty Wild Horses’ that really surprised. One of my favourite Quo tracks of their later output, this forgotten gem was a joy to hear live.

Following that, we were back to the classics with the extended ‘What You’re Proposing’ medley which had many classic Quo tracks shoehorned in. ‘The Oriental’ is always a great track live and it gave drummer Leon Cave a chance to flex his double bass pedals to great effect. We were then transported way back with ‘In My Chair’, one for those who attended the Glasgow Apollo back when it was still Greens Playhouse!

Things were brought back to the present with a couple of tracks from the band’s last studio album ‘Backbone’ which was a real return to form. Following that we were on the homeward stretch, and it was classics all the way. ‘In The Army Now’ gave the crowd a chance to provide backing vocals where required, as did ‘Roll Over Lay Down’ with the familiar ‘Quo’ chant in the mid section.

The band then left Francis Rossi on his own as he played an extended intro for ‘Down, Down’ which brought the whole crowd to their feet to party like it was 1977! A blast through ‘Whatever You Want’ then led into Andy Bowen taking to the piano for ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’, complete with John ‘Rhino’ Edwards on bass encouraging the crowd to sing along, as if any encouragement was needed!

The guys then took their applause and left the stage but returned for a blistering version of ‘Burning Bridges’ with some highly amusing dancing in the crowd during the chorus.

It’s great to have Status Quo back out and touring once more and the set list tonight showed that they can still surprise when they want to. A top night with a band that never fail to deliver.

As Shakey said ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’!

Review and photos by Dave Wilson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 14 April

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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 on 14 April 2024.

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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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