As warm spring sunshine bathed the Laganside venue, anticipation was high for the first night of Rod Stewart’s UK tour. Grinning fans leapt out of coaches, cars and limos from all over the Province to see the veteran Scottish rocker kick off his European tour in style.
And they weren’t disappointed. Even Stewart seemed overwhelmed by the crowd’s reaction, as he shouted over mid-set to his top-notch band: “You see, I told you they were a good crowd here!” Having been across the US and Australia, he couldn’t get over the best reaction in the world in Ulster. The ‘good crowd’ responded with sing-along serenades to the on-stage star on a black and white set, with triple TV screen backdrop. It showed off the 60-year-old (can it be true?) in style and his numerous costume changes to advantage. He may grace the front cover of Saga magazine these days, but females of a certain age debated whether they preferred him in his leathers, his daffodil yellow, his black and white jacket with red, or (a personal favourite) the ice blue suit with pale lilac shirt. You Wear it well, Rod. Musically, the hits kept on coming throughout the evening with the almost sell-out crowd revelling in the million sellers in the 29-song set and the local variations inserted like ‘all the Belfast girls’ on the Downtown Train. He also knew his local heroes, when it came to Have I told You Lately that I love You and a tribute to Van Morrison. This Old Heart of Mine showcased the talents of his female sax-player for the first time, standing statuesque centre-stage with her instrument. She was wearing red stilettos and denim miniskirt. At this point, debate started among the men in the audience, which I’m assured was all to do with the music. Equally strong throughout the evening was the female violinplayer, but everyone on stage was pulling their weight musically, even ‘Wingnut’ the harmonica player from the road-crew who came on to blow a fine harp.
The skirl of the pipes and a Scotland flag on screen heralded Rhythm of my Heart. It would have been a crowdpleasing addition to have had one of our own World Champion pipers to play along on that one. A slight sour note for some of the spectators on the evening of an Old Firm match was the intrusion of Celtic into Rod’s set design ‘Paradise’ and comments. Maybe the diehard fan has been living in LA for too long to remember local resonances. He can still kick a mean ball, however, with a dozen footballs taken home as souvenirs at the end of the rocking evening of two-and-a-half hours of firstclass entertainment.
His only dip with the crowd response was the tuxedoed Grammy-winning American Songbook section with full orchestra. It included a tribute to Satchmo and a lovely version of Wonderful World, but the gravel-voiced vocalist realised the Odyssey audience wanted to rock. “Normal service is resumed,” Rod announced, as he launched into a few more of his own hits. Baby Jane was a real crowdpleaser, but one-time b-side Maggie May raised the biggest cheer of the evening and Handbags and Gladrags was stunning. By the time we were all on our feet clutching the bynow moist hands of the strangers next to us and swaying to Sailing, we were recalling past Rod the Mod glories and forgetting the low points.
The voice might not have the power it once had, but he’s still a Sweet Little Rock ‘n’ Roller. Both Rod’s next two concerts at the Odyssey are sold out; guard your tickets like gold dust and put on your dancing shoes.
Courtesy: Liz Kennedy / News Letter