Sweet – The Farewell Tour // Glam Slam // Live Review // The Ulster Hall // Belfast
Here we are back again at the glorious Ulster Hall, not 24 hours from The Answer’s magnificent performance recreating Led Zeppelin ’71’s iconic show at this very venue.
The room was rammed last night for a killer night’s entertainment, and I don’t expect anything less this evening as The Sweet sign off with their Northern Irish fanbase as they bid farewell to life on the road. In support this evening, we have local legends Glam Slam, who have been filling venues across the province for years, bringing the finest Glam Rock from decades past. I doubt there is anyone in good old Northern Ireland who has not been on the dance floor at some stage of their lives rocking out with these kids. They know how to bring the party atmosphere, from their outrageous outfits to the sparkly balloon cubes they toss out mid-set, the audience laps them up as they raise the energy levels in the room to a suitable temperature before Sweet takes to the stage. It’s a blast and a trip down memory lane as they toss out classic after classic, and by the time they wrap up their short set, the room is ready to receive the one and only Sweet once again in our glorious city.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
So once the hall has recovered from the chaos that is Glam Slam, we catch our breath before a beautiful early start on a Sunday evening, 8 pm and with it being a school day tomorrow, hangovers are forbidden! So instead, we will sit back and soak up the majesty of this glorious rock band. As the band take to the stage, they kick right in with ‘Action’, which gets the crowd going and in the mood to party! The light is glorious as the band set about a soundtrack packed with fan favourites from over the years. ‘Hell Raiser’ and more contemporary tracks like ‘Circus’ have the crowd begging for more. It has probably been around 10 years since we last had The Sweet in our city, so the fans were out to soak it all up in a pre-Christmas festive cheer and night out for old friends who want to relive the soundtrack to their youth. There was no shortage of classic tracks to take everyone in The Ulster Hall back down memory lane, songs that bring you right back to a moment in time, stop you in your tracks and get that heart pumping once again. The smiles on the faces of the crowd around me say it all, they know every word of every song, and the band are on fire! From vocalist Paul Manzi, who commands the stage, to the legendary Andy Scott with his legendary Fiesta Red Strat, he’s like a beacon stage right, bassist Lee Small is joined by Jim Kirkpatrick (FM), who fills in when required and lays down some delicious guitar work this evening, all being tied together by the talented Adam Booth on the skins.
The night flies by, the Ulster Hall is treated to a collection of songs that capture the imagination, get the pulse racing and feed the soul. This is what it’s all about, that beautiful connection between an artist and a fanbase so in tune, a soundtrack to stir the deepest of emotions and remind you of what it feels to be alive. For many here tonight, bidding farewell will be a bittersweet moment, a glorious venue for the occasion, as Jim himself posted on his socials ‘A Bucket List Venue’ and a perfect way to wrap up a busy weekend of fantastic music, kicking off with Dom Martin & Blue Nation at The Black Box on Friday, The Answer just here last night treating us to ‘The Legacy Series – A Celebration Of Led Zeppelin 71’ and tonight a legacy band in the flesh bowing out to an Irish audlence after five plus decades of spinkling their magic across the globe. No better way to do it, and for me to say a heartfelt thank you for the music. As the last bars of ‘The Ballroom Blitz’ ring out, the Ulster Hall is on their feet. Take a bow, gentlemen. You deserve it.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
