Whenever and wherever Status Quo are playing, concertgoers around the world know exactly why they are going and more or less what they will hear when the band plays.
One might ask why go?
The simple reasons are that fifty years of individual memories are tied up in their performances and the people that go just want to clap, sing, stamp and generally forget the troubles of the wider world for two hours while enjoying every song from their past and leave for home on a high. Simple!
I first saw Quo at the Royal Ballrooms Boscombe August 71 in the Dog of Two Head era, and like supporting your own football team forever, have followed them ever since and seen them many times.
This was the penultimate show of a mini UK tour, before Wembley on Saturday and then they’re off to Germany up till Christmas.
Shakin' Stevens was on support duties with an hour of his classic rock’n’roll based show.
He brought his full 8-piece band including two backing singers, giving us all an aural treat with the sound quality.
Shaky performed a variety of songs, and only four of his many hits.
Green Door was given the updated treatment, to the surprise of many in the crowd.
Marie Marie and This ole House were the only songs recognisable as the original version.
He finished with Merry Christmas Everyone which seemed entirely appropriate!
As expected, the familiar Quo crowd refrain starts before the main show and then it’s time for the rocking we have waited for to start.
The boys casually walk on to the stage, before Richie plays those well-known show opening chords of Caroline.
The others come in and the arena is filled with the music and the crowd singing along.
Richie Malone fills the late, great Rick Parfitt’s shoes admirably and has certainly provided the impetus for the band to move forward.
There is a noticeable shift in the band dynamics as Rick’s vocals are now divided between Rhino and Richie, providing variety within the overall stage sound.
Rhino sang the second song Rain, with Richie on Little Lady to follow.
Leon Cave, the drummer, and Andy Bown unobtrusively provide backing vocals when needed.
There is an increased presence for Richie, Rhino and Andy as they prowl the stage, swapping places and all interacting with the crowd.
Francis Rossi has taken a big step for Quo and updated the whole set.
Stalwarts such as Forty Five Hundred Times, Gerdundula, Roadhouse Blues and Backwater being dropped in favour of newer tracks from the Backbone and Heavy Traffic Albums.
Shortened versions of some of the old crowd pleasers were still packed into a mid-set medley though, starting with Just Proposing.
The final part of the show includes In the Army Now and my favourite of the evening, an extended Down, Down.
Not normally a fan of solos, but I loved seeing Francis on stage alone, showing what he can do and providing the extended link between Down, Down and Whatever You Want.
The inevitable encore was Burning Bridges, with the entire sold-out arena up on their feet doing the Monkey Dance (as Francis calls it!) and bouncing together.
The ‘new’ Quo have certainly still got what takes to continue selling out arenas and send the fans home delighted.
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