Saxon / Quireboys / Redline – London Shepherd’s Bush Empire, 27 April 2013
On the back of yet another five star album (Sacrifice), British stalwarts Saxon remain top of their game. A packed venue saw a solid (if unspectacular) Redline, open; a decent solo or two went down well. Sleaze legends The Quireboys followed and went down well, singer Spike working the crowd well, despite hobbling with a broken foot. The hit single “Hey You” was a highlight.
The first tier was full to the rafters by the time NWoBHM legends Saxon took to the stage, the intro getting a huge roar. Kicking off with the new album’s title track, the crowd immediately warming to the new material. The band were tight, energetic and on form from the outset, and it was also immediately obvious how confident the band are in the new material. And quite rightly too, six tracks from the new album (on top of the intro) all went down well. Guitarists Doug Scarratt and Paul Quinn both riffed and soloed aplenty, it was a solid start to the show.
The new tracks mixed with old well, Power And The Glory and Rock’n’Roll Gypsy getting rare but well deserved outings, while Heavy Metal Thunder always gets the crowd going. Bassist Nibbs Carter was very animated and clearly enjoying himself.
The excellent Conquistador featured a superb drum solo from Nigel Glockler, intense and powerful.
Another rare outing was Ride Like The Wind, which saw Spike join Biff on stage for an energetic duet. Older songs Crusader, Never Surrender and And The Bands Played On went down a complete storm. Wheels Of Steel closed the main set and saw singer Biff Byford working the crowed as well as ever.
As for the encore, you don’t get much better than Strong Arm Of The Law, 747 and Princess Of The Night.
Saxon were really on form, looking and sounding good, the crowed loved the show, and the band know how to perform, entertain and vary the setlists well. There’s many a band, old and young, could learn from Saxon. 8.8/10
Joe Gessin
Setlist
Procession (intro)
Sacrifice
Wheels Of Terror
Power & The Glory
Made In Belfast
Rock’n’Roll Gypsy
Heavy Metal Thunder
I’ve Got To Rock (To Stay Alive)
Night Of Wolf
Conquistador / drum solo
Crusader
Stand Up And Fight
Guardians Of The Tomb
Never Surrender
Ride Like The Wind (duet with Spike)
And The Bands Played On
Dallas 1PM
Denim And Leather
Wheels Of Steel
Encore – Strong Arm Of The Law
747 (Strangers In The Night)
Princess Of The Night