The last time British Rock royalty, Uriah Heep, played in this esteemed hall back in 2022 as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations; it was an Evening With setup with Heep playing a long set with an acoustic section and a video history of the band. Being rather difficult to top such an event, this time Heep decided to invite along a strong supporting cast on their Magician’s Farewell, farewell tour and what a cast it was.
First up, American Rockers Tyketto fronted by the astonishing vocals of Danny Vaughn. Their debut album Don’t Come Easy caused a major stir on its release in 1991 so it’s no surprise that the bulk of the set is built around that classic with a couple from its follow up Strength in Numbers including the title track. With a lineup featuring bassist Chris Childs from Thunder and Britney Fox’s livewire drummer, Johnny Dee, Tyketto were firing on all cylinders.
Vaughn’s voice was immaculate, strong, powerful and melodic bringing real passion to the likes of “Standing Alone”, the hooks to “Burning Down Inside” and bombast to their signature tune “Forever Young”.
That was a pretty tough act to follow but April Wine are no slouches. Having formed in Nova Scotia, Canada back in 1969 with 16 studio albums under their belts they certainly have a tune or two in their back pockets to win over the crowd. Having appeared at the very first Monsters of Rock Festival at Castle Donnington in 1980 they have only made fleeting appearances over here since then with their last being a mere 44 years ago, their return is long awaited by many here tonight.
Following the recent passing of founder member, lead vocalist and guitarist, Myles Goodwyn, it’s left to Brian Greenway from their late ’70s heyday to fly the April Wine flag and he did a fine job over their short but sweet set featuring classics such as “I Like To Rock”, “Before The Dawn” and the epic “Sign Of The Gypsy Queen” featuring some fine harmonies to the chorus before heads down rocker, “Roller” kicked the door in.
Although this was initially announced as Uriah Heep’s “farewell tour” founder member and guitarist Mick Box clarified that it’s not the end but they were stepping back from large tours and in the future doing only occasional dates and festivals. Who can blame them after almost 55 years on the road.
For the next hour and a half Uriah Heep mined their illustrious back catalogue focussing mainly between the golden classic David Byron fronted years of the early 70s and the more recent 2000s material featuring current lead singer Bernie Shaw, now almost in his 40th year with the band.
One of Uriah Heep’s strengths is that they have remained creative, making new music that stands proudly alongside the classics and the opening trio of “Grazed By Heaven”, “Save Me Tonight” and a bombastic “Overload” certainly endorse that fact and their latest album Chaos & Colour sees a band with inspiring ideas still coursing through their veins.
“Free’n’Easy” was the only song from the Geordie born John Lawton era with Shaw’s confident approach and impressive range easily handling the songs performed by his predecessors.
Of course, the classics come thick and fast from “Stealin’” and “Sweet Lorraine” to the acoustic “The Wizard” and “The Magician’s Birthday” with the big hitters saved until last.
Closing the main set with the gargantuan riff from Box of “Gypsy” and the glorious class of the slow building epic “July Morning” where Shaw absolutely nailed those skyscraping notes at the song’s climax.
Returning with a grandiose “Sunrise” featuring those wonderful signature vocal harmonies and the Hammond organ driven shuffle of “Easy Livin’” was the icing on the cake.
Seeing the Glasshouse sold out for this show and the first one on the tour to sell out too was a testament to the love the Northern crowds have for Uriah Heep and tonight they excelled themselves. If this was the last time we get to see Heep up here, then it can certainly be said that they went out at the very top of their game.
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