  
In what seems to be an annual tradition, April this year once again saw Saxon on tour around St Georges day - a perfect time of year for a band with such a strong English identity. As usual they've got British support with them, this year in the shape of The Quireboys and Redline.
The night kicked off with Redline, who were on stage not long after the doors opened. Unusually for Shepherds Bush though by the time they came on stage there was already quite a large crowd. Warming up a crowd of people who've just come in out of the rain and have barely had chance to start drinking is always a tough job but Redline do a damn good job with their heavy rock sound going down very well with the crowd. The set was based around songs from their album 'Vice', and judging by tonight I think it's likely to be a good listen. A great start to the night.
Next up was The Quireboys. Singer Spike hobbled on stage suffering from a broken foot (apparently from playing football with Saxon - his comment "They're great on stage but rubbish at football"). He wasn't going to let something as trivial as a broken foot affect the show though and when not talking to the audience with a beer in one hand, was swinging the mic stand around, throwing it in the air and catching it (without ever dropping it or hitting anyone amazingly). The set tonight included plenty of classic hits including '7 O'clock', 'Hey you' and 'There she goes again' alongside songs from their forthcoming album which Spike reminded the audience several times would be released later this year. The new songs sounded great so I'm looking forward to the album.
Quireboys setlist:
Tramps and thieves
There she goes again
Misled
Too much of a good thing
Mona Lisa
This is rock n roll
Hey you
Mother mary
Sweet Mary Ann
7 O'Clock
Finally it was time for tonight's headliners - the mighty Saxon. THe hardest part for Saxon must be picking the setlist - with such a long career they've got a huge back catalogue, and with the last few albums being just as good as anything they released in their early years then theyreally are spoilt for choice. Tonight they include five songs from the latest album (Sacrifice), and open the show with two of them ('Sacrifice' and 'Wheels of terror'). I'm happy to hear 'Made in Belfast' as that's my favourite song from the new album. As for performance - well these guys have been doing it for so long that unsurprisingly they know how to put on a kick-ass show and to do it flawlessly. Biff is in fine form vocally and works the crowd like the pro that he is.
One nice surprise was when the band came to play 'Ride like the wind'. They brought out Quireboys singer Spike to sing it with Biff for a great performance - it was a great part of the show. As the show drew towards a close the setlist became packed with non-stop classics - 'And the bands played on', Dallas 1pm', 'Denim and leather' and ending with 'Wheels of steel'. With most bands that would have been a great end to the night, but with Saxon there were more hits to come and the band come out for an encore of 'Strong arm of the law', '747 (Strangers in the Night)' and ending with 'Princess of the Night'. As always Saxon put on a great performance and showed that they're still one of the best live bands around - no need for pyros or other gimmicks, just a good solid performance that leaves the fans exhausted after a great night.
Saxon setlist:
Sacrifice
Wheels of Terror
Power and the Glory
Made in Belfast
Rock 'n' Roll Gypsy
Heavy Metal Thunder
I've Got to Rock (To Stay Alive)
Night Of the Wolf
Conquistador / Drum Solo
Crusader
Stand Up and Fight
Guardians of the Tomb
Never Surrender
Ride Like The Wind (duet with Spike from The Quireboys)
And the Bands Played On
Dallas 1 PM
Denim and Leather
Wheels of Steel
Encore:
Strong Arm of the Law
747 (Strangers in the Night)
Princess of the Night |
