The Hollies - Concert Review

Sunderland Empire, 8^th November 2003 - by Peej

Long time, no hear and I couldn’t wait to see the guys perform live again so much so that I didn’t want my parents to miss the gig either so I set about planning a way to get them there- I naturally succeeded in my plan, but would they enjoy the concert?

The answer to that question is yes. There was an excited atmosphere as the audience filed into the auditorium and everyone went silent as the lights dimmed and the introduction music as played. As soon as people saw the band entering the stage, they cheered and the guys launched into their fantastic opening song; Long Cool Woman. With the crowd clapping and cheering, the guys moved onto their other songs like Just One Look, Jennifer Eccles (love Alan’s slide guitar solo) and Look Through Any Window. All performed as brilliantly as I remembered, accompanied by a fantastic new lighting show!

Soon, Carl, Bobby and Ian had left the stage and Alan, Ray and Tony sang Listen to Me with the gorgeous a cappella introduction- simply fantastic. Tony then left the stage to be replaced by Ian as Alan performed Butterfly. This was not quite as good as I had remembered because the music was too loud and occasionally drowned out Alan’s singing. After that, Carl, Bobby and Tony rejoined the stage for songs like Sandy- a lovely take on the Bruce Springsteen classic and before we knew it, Carl was announcing the ever-local Bob Dylan’s song; Blowin’ In The Wind. Bobby’s drum solo during this is fantastic, he really is one of the best live drummers ever! Then, sadly, came the interval.

The next half started with the boys’ latest recording; How Do I Survive which I think is much better live. Then they started introducing the European hits like; The Baby with Tony on his electric sitar. He is truly fantastic on it and his solo before the song, if a little too loud, was amazing. Then Carl announced Soldier’s Song. The lighting, Carl’s vocals and Bob’s drumming all contributed to a fantastic performance of the song. How could Tony, Ray and Alan follow that? Well, with Gasoline Alley Bred and Too Young To Be Married. As usual Tony’s solo just blew me away- he’s amazing on guitar. Then Carl, Bobby and Ian were back to finish the hits with songs like Bus Stop and the Move song; Blackberry Way (which Carl dedicated to my mum and dad- my mum caught it!). During which the audience were invited to sing and sing they did. Although it’s difficult to sing when Tony’s looking at you and giving you a cheesey grin and waving his head from side to side- just because we’d been doing that when he’d been singing, honestly! Carrie Anne and Stop Stop Stop also followed and soon, Carl was wrapping up the show with the ‘final’ song; Air That I Breathe- amazing. However, they didn’t leave the stage, they treated the ecstatic audience to Fire Brigade, I Can hear The Grass Grow and Ray Stiles singing Tiger Feet before closing with He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother and a chorus of It’s In Everyone of Us. A truly fantastic show. My mum and dad had fun and Spev and I finally met Tony Hicks, we couldn’t wait to get to Southport.

The guys are one of the best live acts today and if you are lucky enough to be able to see them, it’s worth every penny you spend! Long may they last!

By Peej

Setlist

Back to Review Index