Police steal the show...
How do you do a concert review review, I asked myself?
Picking out the best musical there have been so many good bands visiting the area is not easy.
But here goes and the concert of the year for me was newcomers the Police on stage in Newcastle. It was a hot summer's night when Sting and his gang left the audience in no doubt they were seeing something special.
Their present album 'Regatta de Blanc' is excellent, almost as good as their first effort 'Outlandos D'Amour' from which the band played most of their concert material.
The sultry 'Roxanne', the up tempo 'Born in the Fifties' and suicide single 'Can't Stand Losing You', had the followers bopping in the aisles. They are fun band giving full entertainment. Their particular blend of reggae and blues is here to stay.
Another new band, also with Newcastle connections in the shape of ex-local teacher Mark Knopfler is Dire Straits who also played a blinder at the City Hall.
Mark and his band playing their own likeable style of good old finger picking rhythm and blues. were given a good homecoming by the capacity crowd.
'Down to the waterline', 'Lady Writer', and the racy 'Sultans of Swing' were just some of the highlights.
A few weeks later hundreds of local fans made the long journey south to Knebworth where top of the bill went to old campaigners Led Zeppelin moments of the year when who were making something of a comeback.
Supported by, among others Chas and Dave and American Todd Rundgren, the festival came alive when Zep came on stage.
After a long warm-up session the stage exploded into white light and Bonham, Page. Plant and Jones got stuck into 'Kashmir'.
But the new bands got a big look-in as well this year. The ever changing scene meant new bands always emerging and local fans were never slow to spot new favourites.
One of the best new wave combos seen this year were the Tourists, and they will be back again this time at the City Hall in February. They proved to be a real surprise with vocalist Annie Lennox handling the packed Polytechnic crowd easily.
Bob Geldof and his Rats powered their way through a well-paced show a couple of months ago. All the singles were well aired and together with a remarkable stage show, there was never a dull moment.
And the same goes for a Thin Lizzy concert, Phil Lynott. Brian Downey Scott Gorham and rebel Gary Moore just never let up with an autumn show that takes a lot beating.
Moore, who shortly after quit the band, was nevertheless scathing on guitar and gave Lizzy something they had previously lacked.
Waiting for an 'Alibi', 'Sarah'... and 'Black Rose' from the album of the same name were played and of course earlier material.
(c) The Stanley News
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