This time last year there was something of a Y&T shaped hole in the calendar. Since 2007, it has become something of a tradition for Y&T to come up to Newcastle for the first or second Friday in November and kick off the weekend is style.
Alas, guitarist/vocalist Dave Meniketti was laid up in bed with back problems that kept him off the road for a few months convalescing at home in the care of wife and manager Jill.
Fast forward to 2019, a fully fit, rejuvenated Meniketti was back in the saddle and ready to open fire and with this year being the 45th anniversary of Y&T’s formation this was going to be one special night and Hurricane was the perfect opener, epitomising the power and melody of Y&T in one song.
Meniketti proclaimed that the evening would be a celebration of their whole career and that at least one song from every single Y&T album would be performed over the course of the night.
Y&T duly delivered, living up to that enticing promise and then some. Covering the old (Earthshaker, Struck Down, Sail On By), the new (I’m Coming Home, I Want Your Money), the live favourites (Midnight In Tokyo, Hang ‘Em High, Summertime Girls) and the gold plated classics (Rescue Me, Forever, Black Tiger, Meanstreak) as well as the deep, deep album cuts (Come In From The Rain, Face Like An Angel, 21st Century). They covered every conceivable base, drawing up a set list to please everyone and disappoint no one. Many a band could learn from this.
Before Earthshaker, a song from their very first album Yesterday and Today, released in 1976, Meniketti paid a touching tribute to his original band, Phil Kennemore, Joey Alves and Leonard Haze, now all sadly departed whilst wearing Kennemore’s scarf.
Y&T 2019 featuring longstanding guitarist John Nymann and drummer Mike Vanderhule along with recent addition Aaron Leigh on bass, did the original line-up total justice in a performance that can only be described as stunning.
It’s difficult to pick out a highlight from so many highlights across the two-and-a-half-hour show but Meniketti’s performance on I Believe In You was jaw dropping. An absolute masterclass in melody, tone, and dexterity and a lesson into how to build and build a guitar solo into a soul searing climax. Watching the crowd burst into an extended ovation afterwards was a sight to behold and one that visibly moved Meniketti.
As always Rescue Me, a guaranteed floor filler around the Rock clubs of North East England in the ’80s had the crowd bouncing and singing while the exquisite close harmonies of Sail On By and the thunderous roar of Forever proved just why Y&T are one of the most devastating live bands around and this was one of their most complete and scintillating performances for years. Thank goodness every single note was recorded for possible inclusion on a planned live album to celebrate 45 years in the business. Roll on November 2020.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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