Album review: BELLOWHEAD – Live The Farewell Tour

Navigator Records [Release date 08.04.16]

Bellowhead formed in 2004 and since then they have headed major UK and international festivals, selling out tours of major concert halls and selling in excess of 250,000 albums. Their last studio album, ‘Revival’ debuted in the UK album charts at number 12 – not many folk acts manage that feat.

Sadly after lead singer Jon Boden decided to leave the band decided to finish as well. Mind you in true Bellowhead fashion they did it their way and in style, with two massive farewell tours. The first leg of their farewell tour from last November appears across the two CD’s here, with the DVD featuring the full concert from Leicester’s De Montford Hall.

They cover their back catalogue and there are so many great songs to enjoy. Personal favourites include a run through ‘Roll Alabama’, ’10,000 Miles Away’ and ‘Black Beetle Pies’ (sadly this one lacks the nice and gory intro that usually accompanies the live version).

The in between song banter is all but removed on the CD’s, I guess to cram as many songs in as possible – 29 in all – and that each night would have had a slightly different between song chat. The setlist is sure to please even the most demanding fan and the sound recordings are of a high quality throughout.

The DVD is a real treat, capturing a whole set and from one show. The band seem to have as much fun on stage as the audience are and a Bellowhead gig is always a lively affair. Having been lucky enough to see the band live three times I am glad they have this fantastic live memento for their fans.

One of the biggest folk bands in recent memory and they had the wide appeal to tap into a younger audience, whilst delighting the older folk fans. They will be missed and here’s hoping a reunion tour is not that far down the line. *****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)