Concerts: Quofestive featuring Status Quo @ LG Arena, Birmingham, UK 12/17/2012 - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

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Quofestive featuring Status Quo @ LG Arena, Birmingham, UK 12/17/2012

Posted on Sunday, December 23 2012 @ 08:39:47 CST by Dean Pedley

Ahead of 2013's reunion tour with the classic line-up, boogie rock veterans Status Quo return to Birmingham's LG Arena as part of their annual Quofestive tour with support from Bonnie Tyler and r'n'b stalwarts Eddie and the Hot Rods. Reviewing the show for Sea of Tranquility was staff writer Dean Pedley with images by Rich Ward of Classic Rock Photography.

Pub rockers Eddie and the Hot Rods emerged in the mid-70's and were part of the Canvey Island scene that was led by Dr Feelgood. Numerous members have passed through their ranks over the years but the band is still fronted by Barrie Masters backed by a trio of Vinnie Jones look-a-likes. Signature hit 'Do Anything You Want To Do' and a pumped up rendition of 'Gloria' are the highlights of an energetic thirty minute set.

Welsh warbler Bonnie Tyler is best known for her successful collaborations with Jim Steinman during the 80's and wisely sticks to playing the hits across her allotted forty-five minutes. She may be in her 60's but Bonnie still has the golden hair, husky voice and leather trousers that remain her trademarks. Backed by a band that includes prog-keyboardist John Young (Asia, The Scorpions, Greenslade) Bonnie moves through early chart-toppers 'Lost In France' and 'It's A Heartache' to the Steinman penned melodrama of 'Faster Than The Speed Of Night'. With global sales in excess of six million copies, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' is arguably the definitive 80's power ballad and Bonnie still hits all of the high notes across an epic rendition. Despite having a relatively low profile in the UK she remains incredibly popular in continental Europe and as the set closes with 'Holding out for a Hero' the crowd are unanimous in their acclaim. Hopefully we will see much more of her here in the UK over the next couple of years and the upcoming album in 2013 sees Bonnie reunited with songwriter Desmond Child.

Status Quo have a busy year ahead of them with the imminent reunion of the 'Frantic Four' line-up (Francis Rossi, Rick Parfitt, John Coghlan and Alan Lancaster) to celebrate 1977's Live album. Before all of that nostalgia the current line-up of Rossi, Parfitt, Andy Bown and the rhythm section of Rhino Edwards and Matt Letley have their annual December tour to wrap-up. The set list is tried and tested; in twenty-odd years of attending Quo gigs the riff-tastic opening of 'Caroline' and the closing quartet of 'Roll Over Lay Down', 'Down Down', 'Whatever You Want' and 'Rockin' All Over The World' are cast in stone. A few years back Rick Parfitt could barely croak his way through the show but his vocals are clear and pronounced on the throbbing boogie of 'Rain' and smooth ballad 'Living On An Island'.

Francis Rossi remains an engaging band leader and his on-stage banter with the crowd always seems fresh and off-the-cuff. Recent material includes the incredibly catchy 'The Oriental' and this being Christmas we can even forgive the inclusion of the cringe-inducing 'Marguerita Time' and a festive medley. When Quo rock out with 'Hold You Back', 'Mystery Song' and 'Big Fat Mama' they can still inspire men (and women) of a certain vintage to bounce up and down with insatiable energy. What the future holds for this incarnation of the band is unclear - although the reunion is presently scheduled as a 'one-off' Letley has recently announced his departure. For the faithful that pack out UK arenas each December their annual dose of Quo is fixed on the calendar and few would argue that they remain in irresistible form.

Set List:-
Caroline
Paper Plane
Hold You Back
Rain
Mystery Song
Rock 'n' Roll 'n' You
Beginning of the End
What You're Proposing / Down The Dustpipe / Wild Side Of Life / Railroad / Again And Again
Big Fat Mama
The Oriental
Creepin' Up On You
Marguerita Time
Living on an Island
In the Army Now
Drum Solo
Roll Over Lay Down
Down Down
Whatever You Want
Rockin' All Over the World
Encore:
Walking in a Winter Wonderland / Rocking Around The Christmas Tree / It's Christmas Time
Burning Bridges