I make no excuses for the title, not only was the show fucking great but Rod said the F-word at least 5 times at the Manchester arena so it fits in!
The night started with the great support from fellow Celtic fan Johnny Mac and The Faithful, they seem to be going down a storm with the Rod crowds and fit in perfectly.
The new video screens are fantastic starting with a backdrop of the new Royal Philharmonic Orchestra CD and then exploding in spectacular fashion with an array of colours images and Rod!
“it’s going to be a fucking great tonight I can feel it ” are Rod’s first words before kicking off with ‘Some Guys’ and ‘Having A Party’, Rod then announced he has done a duet with Robbie Williams “I taught him everything he knows..Don’t you know” he said before telling us Robbie’s not here but Becca Cote is and she does it better anyway! before bursting into a great version of ‘It Takes Two’
Any long time Rod fans might have looked on in horror when they first see a line up of very attractive blonde females dressed in short gold dresses at the start of the show ..but these young ladies are super talented and are certainly not on stage just to look good, they are perfect for ‘The Killing Of Georgie part two’ after Rod has sang an amazing part one! “The BBC banned it Fuck ‘em!” Rod proclaimed, multi talented Julia Thornton deserves a special mention here from base drum in the irish dancing spot while Rod does one of his many costume changes to the brilliant double drum solo on ‘Forever Young’ where she plays cymbals between Dave Palmer and Matt O’Connor, what a talent!.
After ‘Georgie’ Rod gives us a worth the entrance fee alone version of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ “Ronnie Wood and I recorded this in 1972. It took two bottles of wine and two takes,” laughed Rod at the start.
Introducing ‘Rollin and Tumblin’ Rod remembers “All of us who came through in the 60s – Elton, Bowie,The Stones, listened to the same kind of music” and as usual at his Manchester shows he remembers his first gig at the famous Twisted Wheel, he asks the crowd is it still there? after a few shouts of ‘yes’ Rod says “It’s probably a Starbucks now”
The Manchester crowd as usual were in superb voice and it was funny to hear Rod singing his new/unplugged version of ‘Maggie’ while the crowd just sang the proper version ..but the two met somewhere in between and came together for a roaucus ending.
Another standout was the awesome version of Ewan McCalls ‘Dirty Old Town’ from Rod’s first album that is celebrating its 50th Birthday this month although talking of big birthdays announcing the song he said my big brother Don who is here tonight will remember this one, he is celebrating his 90th birthday next month..A few months early Rod but I’m sure Don will forgive you! At the end of this beautifully sang version, again sang perfectly from the crowd, Rod seemed surprised that the crowd new it word perfect..Well it was written about Salford that is just down the road.
The ‘World famous'[Rod’s words] acoustic set followed ..stunning and hit filled as usual..this band are just amazing, Rod must be so proud to have assembled such a great bunch of musicians.. but was that a few boo’s I heard while Celtic lifted the cup during ‘You’re In My Heart’? A gorgeous version of ‘Grace’ was included in this set and after a full explanation of the story the crowd loved it.
The last section of the show started with the band’s cracking version of fleetwood Mac’s ‘Go Your Own’ way ..everyone was up now for the last few songs Sexy, Baby Jane and Sailing and a rocking version of Stay With Me brought the final curtain down …So to some up as Rod said as he left the stage “That was fucking Great”….And it was!!
Review By Mike Walton
Photos By Julie Bolton-Nixon
Montage by Tommy Kevitt
Swearing By Rod Stewart
Extra photo By Johnny Mac and The Faithful
For set list see montage