Deacon Blue in Bristol - review of Friday 18 November 2016 gig
Posted on: 2016-11-21
Our rating:
A great performance from an iconic band of its era who judging on this evening still have many many touring miles left in them!
Deacon Blue – Bristol Colston Hall Friday 18th November 2016 reviewed by Lee Gitsham
As a teenager, the music of Deacon Blue was a pivotal part of my life. Although the songs lead singer Ricky Ross had penned were from his experiences growing up in the early eighties in Glasgow, I found I could relate to a lot of the lyrics. When the opportunity arose to review this iconic group, I jumped at the chance and it was as if I had been transported back to those years.
Although there were a few songs taken from a more modern era (and I hope the band will forgive me but I hadn’t heard some of them before!) it was the hits from the first two albums Raintown and When the World Knows Your Name that the fans wanted to hear. Frontman Ross and fellow band member Lorraine McIntosh (whom Ross married at the height of their success in 1990) were fantastic. The voices complement each other perfectly and were both fully enjoying performing for the audience who were very appreciative of their efforts. The popular tracks had the crowd on their feet from the title track of the first album through to the signature tune of Dignity with which Ross encourage the audience to join him and even offered the mic to a few lucky front row fans!
This was a prefect evening of nostalgia. Deacon Blue really haven’t changed that much at all and why should they! The only niggle I have and it is a very small one and no fault of the band at all related to the security on the evening. This is the sort of event when a lot of 40-50 somethings want to dance in the isle and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, when one guy took his young daughter to dance by the stage they were quite roughly handled and denied a pleasure that any paying fan should be allowed. Shame on you Mr Security!
A great performance from an iconic band of its era who judging on this evening still have many many touring miles left in them!
Rating 4.5/5
Article by:
A Bristolian born and bred. By day the Regional Manager for Advanced Imaging Systems Ltd. By night (and weekends) a keen follower of most sports especially rugby and football. Musical tastes vary and cover a wide range of genres from Punk to Motown and Swing to R&B - see my reviews! Also partial to a quiet spot of fishing followed obviously by a not so quiet pint.
