I honestly wasn’t going to go to any the dates of this current tour. Like a few fans from this site. I have got a bit bored of the set list from the tours in recent years. When one of the Spanish dates came up in Fuengirola. I thought what a great way to see my idol and take the family for a holiday as well. My wife is not a big fan of Rod although does enjoy him live. My son was meant to go to the Hyde park gig but come down with a virus. So sadly missed a great day. Now was another chance for him to see why I’ve been a massive fan of the Faces and Rods solo career since 1971.
The setting for the venue was on the edge of town and the slopes of Castle Sohail overlooking the beach. known as Mare Nostrum when being used for concerts, We got up to the venue early and found a great spot in front of the mixing desk plus a bar 2 feet away.
The usual intro started up and Rod came on stage straight into ‘Hole in my Heart’. I thought it was a great choice. I really like the new album and feel it’s the best out of the current crop. After ‘Having a party’. I don’t think I’ve ever heard ‘Stay with me’ so early in a set. No footballs kicked out again during the number. Rod commented that he’d been down to the Marbella beach club during the day and tongue in cheek said how pricey it was down there The combined Spanish/British audience were right up for it tonight. Everyone was in full song all night. The new members of the band have fitted in really well. The set list was based mainly on the hits per usual. Did an amazing version of ‘I’d rather go blind’ and his vocals on ‘Have I told you’ were superb.
Now you always hope as a fan that Rod will sing something you don’t normally hear live. And he never let me down tonight . Rod said that they had been rehearsing a song from 1969, 3 days before. He then went into ‘Dirty old town’ which then turned into a mass singalong with the crowd.
It was one of those nights you didn’t want to end. It was that enjoyable. Before we knew it ‘Maggie May’ became the last song of the night. No encore sadly.
The man proves once again that he is still at the top of his game. I salute you sir for a fantastic night. My son now understands why I’ve been a fan all these years
Set list
Hole in my heart
Having a Party
Stay with me
Some guys have all the Luck
Forever Young
Rhythm of the night
Tonight’s the night
Tonight I’m yours
It takes two
It’s a heartache
I’d rather go blind
Going home (Band only)
I Don’t wanna talk about it
First Cut is the deepest
Dirty old town
You’re in my Heart
Have I Told You Lately
She works hard for the money(Band only)
Baby Jane
Sailing
Sexy
Maggie May
Review By Gary ‘Spanner’
Photo By Marc Baulisch-Steines