It’s certainly more than worth missing the footy for this evening with such a mouth-watering mix of brilliant rock to suitably whet the appetite instead. There’s a long queue outside and for some reason, a near half hour delay in getting those doors open, but not to worry though as a certain Doug Aldrich is busy hanging out at the front posing for pics and chatting with the freezing cold punters, with many in disbelief it’s actually him. Saying that, other various band members from tonight’s line up were also spotted loitering with intent including FM’s Pete Jupp making his way back in doing his best to save money by bringing his own ale in for the chaps to sup after their earlier than usual start.

Indeed it was a little after 10 past 7 and only 10 minutes after those doors finally did open and it’s our old favourites FM who are first on this evening. A band that never disappoints, and always good to watch we’re treated with a short albeit sweet 6 song set blending their old AOR classics with new tunes to warm the cockles of the crowd still busy filtering their way into the bottlenecked O2 Ritz.  ‘Synchronised’ is the opener and bang, with that infectious hook we’re caught, reeled in and we’re off, singing that chorus before straight into the excellent ‘Bad Luck’, the infectious ‘Killed by Love’ and the triumphant ‘Tough it Out’ all fired out to the delight of the FM hard-core and those in early for the Daisies. ‘I Belong to The Night’ continues the pace, and of course the singing, before new set favourite ‘Turn This Car Around’ from their most recent release “Thirteen”, ensures a thunderous cheer and perfect start to the evening.

The venue is filling up nicely, and everywhere people are glued to their phones following the game whilst the changeover takes place. It’s not long though before the Graham Bonnet Band take to the stage and claim the attention firmly back from the square eyed footy fans with the belting Rainbow classic ‘Eyes of The World’ kicking things off. It’s straight for the jugular with those high notes, and he nails every one. Tonight could almost be all about great British singers and as usual with Steve Overland setting the bar high, Graham Bonnet picks up the baton and runs away, continuing with the same perfectly executed delivery, proving exactly why, along with Mr O, he’s regarded as one of the UK’s finest rock singers. Dressed in black shirt and red tie, he may be pushing the numbers these days but this guy certainly won’t be settling for his pipe and slippers anytime soon. We are invited to a journey back in time with the band and we are treated to nothing short of a masterclass in revisiting those milestones of his career.

 Another Rainbow classic ‘All Night Long’, gets the crowd singing every line before another banger and this time it’s his own ‘Night Games’, before the old MSG classic ‘Desert Song’ keeps the vibrations at fever pitch. The band around him is superb and guitarist Conrado Pesinato injects his own considerable flavour into these tunes. A tasteful yet melodic shredder, he fills the boots admirably of those fine players who wrote these classics. There’s no let up yet as we have more dad dancing to do with ‘Since you’ve Been Gone’, and another MSG banger; ‘Assault Attack’. Finishing an exhilarating set with the spell binding ‘Lost in Hollywood’, it's a superb high energy performance that is extremely well received and rightly so, as Graham Bonnet has his place firmly set in rock history.

The Dead Daisies are quite possibly best described as a band of brothers who have always been a revolving door of quality musicians. The jury’s still out though for many people as to whether replacing John Corabi with Glenn Hughes was a good idea. With both singers highly regarded and established in their own right, there didn’t appear to be any reason why it couldn’t be accepted as another musical transition, and after tonight, there seems little to suggest that The Dead Daisies can’t continue in their quest for world domination with Glenn at the helm and bulldoze anything that gets in their way.  With most recent album “Radiance” released in September to critical acclaim, rest assured tonight promises to be something very special indeed. A loud cheer echoes through the hall as the Stone’s classic ‘Gimme Shelter’ starts before one by one, the band appears on stage under the lights to start the first memorable bars of ‘Long Way to Go’. This is going to be one hell of a gig, he prowls the stage, almost hypnotising you; flashing those pearly whites and wow- that voice. Hughes has his own distinct style, range and delivery and tonight it was blatantly on show. He may well have visited Turkey recently and quite possibly has raided Justin Hawkins’ wardrobe for his stage gear, but there is simply no denying that Glenn Hughes is quite possibly one of the best singer frontmen in the business. Oh, and again he’s also a British one!

They’re streamlined a little now as replacing Corabi and Marco Mendoza meant an almost two for one deal with Glenn most admirably also handling bass duties these days too. Over the last 2 years they have released “The Lockdown Sessions” then the magnificent last album “Holy Ground” written predominantly by Hughes and Doug Aldrich. Together they form a formidable partnership, and up on stage that really shines through. There’s a certain magic that weaves effortlessly through the songs, the sheer power of the delivery, guitars detuned, growling, underpinned by a thunderous bass. Is that the same chap up there that was casually dressed in joggers and leather jacket outside earlier? Sure it is and Jesus, this man is on fire, wringing the absolute nuts off his various Les Pauls. Put it all together with Brian Tichy and David Lowry and it’s a show that encapsulates every last note of musical brilliance, quality songs and sublime showmanship, and it’s a joy to watch. Returning drummer Brian Tichy is like a dog ferociously defending its territory, and there’s no way anyone is playing with his bone. Like a man possessed he beats the living shit out of his kit with incredible delivery and resonance.

The set features a handful of the last offering’s tracks. ‘Unspoken’ is the first off that album and its brutal, the power hitting you firmly in the chest. Doug Aldrich’s plectrum budget must be a big one; he’s busy flicking them at every opportunity; and with their own lights on the stage, the whole thing is wonderfully atmospheric and superbly lit. Those famous vocal squeals are ever present and the set list reflects not just Daisies tunes but other songs Hughes has wrote and collaborated on throughout his career. We get to go back to ‘Burn It Down’ for the anthemia and pulsating, fist pumper ‘Rise Up’ and ‘Dead and Gone’. Title track ‘Radiance’ gets an airing; short punchy and heavily blues tinged before ‘Face Your Fear’ written with Tony Iommi makes an appearance. ‘Bustle and Flow from the blistering “Holy Ground” follows before the first of the trademark Daisies covers; the ball crushing ‘Fortunate Son’ is unleashed. Safe to say it’s enough to get the place bouncing and it’s a stonker.

 Drum solos are usually best avoided, however the one rolled out by Brian Tichy was a joy to behold. An incredible display of power and  just exactly how he didn’t collapse afterwards is beyond me, but what a drummer; entertaining the crowd by the tossing of sticks high into the air, and not catching any, it could have been comedy TV gold, but instead it was just mesmerising to watch.

It would be rather rude if there wouldn’t be at least a few Deep Purple numbers scattered about the set and it does firstly in the form of the hauntingly brilliant 1973 track ‘Mistreated’ before ‘Born to Fly’ and B’urn it Down ‘bring the pace back up to full pelt. ‘Hypnotise Yourself’ another brilliant punchy number from the latest album before the final number from “Holy Ground” Then before we know it ‘Shine On’ brings the curtain down on the sort of performance that leaves you in jaw dropping awe at how good this band really are, with this version of The Dead Daisies putting its stamp on the world of rock and metal, and, after possibly producing one of the best albums of 2021 in “Holy Ground”, they may well have done the same with “Radiance” too. It’s a band that most certainly IS a band, and not just a collection of name players, and that is evident to see.

However, back to the encores and what Daisies show would be complete without the infamous ‘Midnight Moses’? Indeed, and if that wasn’t enough to virtually bring the house down then the classic Purple track ‘Burn’ most certainly is. One of rock’s most iconic songs and the man himself helped write the bloody thing! Theres no keyboards but what on earth do you need them for when you have a Doug Aldrich up there?

Exactly! What else can you say?! It’s nothing short of a blistering end to a fantastic evening’s entertainment- oh and England won as well! Superb.

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!

The Dead Daisies, Graham Bonnet Band, FM