The Hollies - Concert Review

Leeds, Grand Theatre, 14^th March 2004 - by Peej

I don’t know but as I got on the train to Leeds the song ‘Here I Go Again’ came into my head. I was off to see the Hollies for the second time in 9 days for the last gig of the spring run. I knew it was going to be a great gig as I was going to be meeting up with some friends as well. I knew the guys had been in Scotland all week and Carlisle the night before but as they entered the stage and kicked the gig off with ‘I’m Alive’; you would have thought this was a first night! The atmosphere was brilliant, the audience was singing along and clapping from the very start as the boys went through just some of the amazing hits the Hollies have had over the last 40 years including ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Jennifer Eccles’, ‘Yes I Will’ and ‘On A Carousel’. It was nice to see the boys in a joking manor as Alan, Ian and Tony took their positions for the acoustic ‘Listen to Me’; Ian was standing just back from Ray’s microphone as he [Ray] deliberately stood in front Ian. At the end of the song, it was great to see Ian (who’d been tapping a tambourine) step in front of Ray and taking his applause; great camaraderie!

Alan’s amazing vocals on ‘I Can’t Tell the Bottom from the Top’ are just brilliant and the song was well received by the audience as were the ever popular ‘I Can’t Let Go’ and ‘We’re Through’ before the Move classic ‘Fire Brigade’. Then Tony, Carl and Alan took front stage for their beautiful new version of ‘Look Through Any Window’. The three voices and the beautiful guitar solos from Alan and Tony combined well in this lovely laidback version. Then came the final song of the first set; ‘Blowin’ In the Wind’ which was enjoyed a lot by the crowd before going into the break.

I was sitting in the front row but to one side and my view was restricted, I couldn’t see Ray and I missed the video screen introduction to the second set and was surprised when the guys arrived on stage but the crowd joined Carl in clapping along before he started singing the classic ‘Long Cool Woman’ followed by ‘Sorry Suzanne’ and ‘Just One Look’ before ‘the Baby’ and ‘Soldier’s Song’ which were as amazing as ever as Tony’s guitar sitar was worked hard for ‘the Baby’, Bob’s drumming during ‘Soldier’s song’ was amazing and Carl’s vocals blew the crowd away! Alan, Ray and Tony followed with acoustic versions of ‘Gasoline Alley Bred’ and ‘Too Young to be Married’, both beautiful and well received. Carl, Bob and Ian returned to the stage for ‘Bus Stop’, ‘Carrie Anne’ and a very enjoyable ‘Stop Stop Stop’ which had the audience clapping away and having a great time! The “final” song ‘Air That I Breathe’ had the crowd on their feet, cheering the guys and calling for more. The boys obliged with ‘I Can Hear the Grass Grow’ and ‘Tiger Feet’ which had the crowd up and dancing before the guys launched into the ever beautiful ‘He Ain’t Heavy’. The crowd was up again, cheering away really wanting more. A fantastic end to the first part of the 2004 tour! The guys had also recorded a final film thanking their fans, their crew although I didn’t get to see it all. It was very nice though.

Can’t wait till the next batch of gigs!

Peej

Setlist