Uriah Heep // The Magicians Farwell Tour // Live Review // April Wine // Tyketto // The Bristol Beacon
In the early 90’s it was nearly impossible to be in a rock bar without hearing Tyketto at some point in the evening. Now almost 35 years later, the band still proves they should have been as huge as Bon Jovi or Whitesnake. With their anthemic choruses, huge riffs and the always-perfect vocals of Danny Vaughn, it’s almost as if the headline band are on first. The musicianship is first class as the band charges through a 40-minute ‘best of’ set. From the opening tracks Reach and Wings with stunning four-part vocal harmonies, the crowd are quick to get on board. The filthy rock n’ roll swagger of Strength In Numbers has the audience singing the chorus before we get the classic ‘written in a strip club’ anthem Lay Your Body Down featuring a very impressive bass solo from Thunder bassist Chris Childs. Closing out the set with the compulsory Forever Young, guitarist Harry Scott Elliot (of the Chez Kane band, Ms Kane herself sat in the crowd to cheer on her bandmate) blisters through the guitar solo and the song sounds as fresh today as it did in the early 90’s. This was an arena show and set the bar extremely high for the other bands to reach.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
The first of two bands tonight with a staggering 56-year legacy, Canadian rockers April Wine have no intention of being upstaged. The phased guitar and bass intro of I Like To Rock leads us into a ten-song set of hook-laden riffs and sing-along blues-driven bombast. Following the death of original singer Myles Goodwin in 2024, new vocalist/lead guitarist Marc Parent (hand-picked by Myles) fits seamlessly into the role. His stage presence, voice and charisma quickly dispel any concerns about him being ‘the new guy’. While his guitar work is excellent, it was sadly too low in the mix and remained so for the duration of their set. All Over Town and the infectious almost reggae groove of Say Hello provide some high-class harmonised vocal work before lead guitarist and only remaining original member of the band Brian Greenway takes on lead vocal duties for a stunning version of Before The Dawn. For the uninitiated, this song was quite blatantly the inspiration for Sleeping In The Fire by 80s shock rockers WASP. With classics Big City Girls, the Thin Lizzy-esque dual guitars of Sign Of The Gypsy Queen and set closer Roller showcasing five decades of music in a 50-minute package, there is little doubt in the crowd that a headline tour shortly would be welcomed with open arms.
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
With swirls of keyboards and guitars filling the air, the black curtain in front of the stage drops and all hell breaks loose as Uriah Heep blasts onto the stage with the thunderous roar of Grazed By Heaven (2018) swiftly followed by new song Save Me Tonight which would not be out of place on any classic Whitesnake album. The entire crowd are on their feet with arms aloft and there they’ll stay for the next 120mins. At almost 70 years old, lead vocalist Bernie Shaw easily puts many singers half his age to shame. The sheer strength and range of his voice are phenomenal. From guttural blues charm to operatic crescendo in one fell swoop. Draped in his black Les Paul guitar, the silver-haired legend that is Mick Box seems in a state of perpetual grinning. He truly is an unsung hero of the genre and tonight is a testament to over five decades of British Heavy Metal. With a set that spans the band’s career from their conception in 1969 up to their latest album Chaos & Colour, it serves as a reminder of all they’ve done, all they’ve inspired and how truly shameful it is they never reached the dizzying heights of the Sabbaths, Zeppelins and Maidens of this world. Classic tracks such as Stealin’, Free & Easy and Gypsy stand shoulder to shoulder with new songs Hail The Sunrise and the simply astounding Hurricane. With this tour being billed as ‘The Magician’s Farewell’ Bernie teases with a smile and a wink that “this is only part one” of the tour as he introduces The Magician’s Birthday featuring a combined drum and guitar solo from Mick and Russel Gilbrook. With an electrifying rendition of July Morning closing out the show the band barely catch a breath before heading back on stage for Sunrise and the timeless Easy Livin’.
As Mick himself said to the crowd “What’s life without music? Naffin”.
He’s right and I very much doubt this is the last we’ll see of him or Uriah Heep.
Review: Steve Gibbons
Photography: Artur Tarczewski
Feb 2025 UK dates are as follows:
Wednesday 19th February 2025 BIRMINGHAM, SYMPHONY HALL UK
Thursday 20th February 2025 BRISTOL, BEACON UK
Saturday 22nd February 2025 GATESHEAD, GLASSHOUSE UK
Sunday 23rd February 2025 GLASGOW, KING’S THEATRE UK
Tuesday 25th February 2025 MANCHESTER, BRIDGEWATER HALL UK
Wednesday 26th February 2025 LONDON, PALLADIUM UK
Thursday 27th February 2025 BEXHILL, DE LA WARR PAVILION UK
Tickets will go on sale at 10:00 AM BST on Friday 27th September 2024.
For tickets and further information please visit www.myticket.co.uk and
www.uriah-heep.com
The February 2025 tour is the band’s first UK dates since their delayed (due to Covid) Uriah Heep 50 tour of 2022 – which celebrated the band’s 50th anniversary. The fact the band are now back on their 55th anniversary is testimony to the longevity of this extraordinary British band.
The tour will feature very special guests April Wine and Tyketto
www.aprilwine.ca
www.tyketto.com