Uriah Heep are in town this evening celebrating a 50 year career with the ‘Lockdown to Rockdown’ tour postponed from November 2020. A band that has by and large escaped my musical radar over the years, there’s absolutely no disputing just what a colossal contribution these giants of rock have made to the world of music. The Bridgewater Hall provides a fitting venue to host the celebrations, with its beautiful seated auditorium and choir circles that spiral their way up towards the ceiling. It’s the perfect backdrop to enjoy a relaxed evening’s music now spanning more than 5 decades.

Glancing around the packed venue, one could almost be forgiven for drawing a simile to God’s waiting room, and perhaps a seated venue is rather fitting. However, I did have to give myself a shake to remember the sombre fact that indeed, whilst a large proportion may well be of advancing years, Uriah Heep released their first album in 1970- and the year this scribe was hatched upon the earth. So, it’s quite remarkable to not only ponder over being on the planet for just as long as one of the fore founders of Heavy Metal and Progressive Rock, but we’re all still here alive and kicking and still rocking!

There’s no support- well, there is as technically, the chaps are doing the full ‘Evening with’ meaning that we get 2 sets, the first one being an acoustic affair and the second, after an interval, a full blown rock set. These seats in the choir circles are really lovely; there’s plenty of room, a cracking view with nobody stood in the way. This seems way too civilised for a gig, and with no sign of a mosh pit either, but it is early, and as the clock strikes 19.55 the house lights go down, and a large cheer ruses the arrival of this long time incarnation of Uriah Heep to the stage.

Led by the ever present and Gandalf lookalike with his amazing white hair; Mick Box, the band take their seats before starting the first set with ‘Circles’ and then into 'Tales’. The sound is impeccable; it’s absolutely beautiful to hear these songs spanning those 5 long decades played with such heart felt soul. From those first haunting opening bars I’m blown away. There is nothing to do, but just sit back and savour each morsel of this moment in rock history. Long-time vocalist Bernie Shaw has an incredible range for, dare I say it- a man of his age. It’s simply stunning to hear stripped back versions of some of their classic material played with so much love and energy and the guys are clearly enjoying playing to such an appreciative audience.

Mick takes to the mic to introduce ‘Free Me’. It’s almost like an MTV unplugged series we’re bearing witness to. It’s so nice to listen to either Mick or Bernie talk about the songs, giving a much needed backdrop and introduction to those who, like me, who are largely unfamiliar with a vast proportion of this rock juggernauts material. We’re encouraged to stand up and sing-along; and for a few in the stalls, to throw away those zimmer frames and rock your bollocks off. This is simply magnificent and Bernie’s range has to be heard to be believed- it’s stunning. There’s a nod back to that first album  Very ‘Eavy……Very Umble with the old ‘Weavers’ cover ‘Come Away Melinda’, before a lovely track from their most recent release 2018’s ‘Livin’ the Dream’ and the atmospheric ballad ‘Waters Flowing’. The ivories are tickled beautifully by the man himself Phil Lanzon. The guys leave the stage leaving Bernie and Phil to bring the stunning ‘Confession’ and ‘Rain’ which melt seamlessly together before we’re taken back down memory lane with a trip to the 4th album and a wonderful segue of 3 tracks that Mick asks the audience to cheer when they hear each track- and cheer we did as they rolled off ‘The Wizard’, ‘Confession’ and ‘Circle of Hands’ from “Demons and Wizards”. It’s an absolute joy to watch and absorb it all. Before we know it, after a cracking ‘Lady in Black’, the band troop off stage, the lights go up and there’s the interval, and the opportunity for either an ice cream or a bottle of overpriced Peroni before we’re informed to take our seats once more.

The lights once more are lowered and the second half of the show begins. A loud cheer echoes around the auditorium- not as the band return to the stage, but for the video that begins to play highlighting past members from the band; those sadly no longer with us, and others who were once an integral part of the bands evolution. Emotionally charged, it warms the very heart of the audience to see 50 years of the band presented and taken on this wonderful journey of various festivals and performances through the years. As the video ends, the intro tape runs, the curtain falls and the full force of the second half of the set and ‘Against All Odds’ is thrust upon the cheering crowd. Mick Box has swapped his acoustic for his trademark Les Paul complete with tremolo and of course plenty of wah pedal, and you begin to see what an underrated guitar player he really is- effortlessly stroking the neck gleaming wonderful phrases and tone throughout. Bernie Shaw has returned a man with a mission; he carries his mic in a holster strapped to his leg, and unleashes his magnificent voice once more. The incredible rhythm section of Russell Gilbrook and Dave Rimmer hold everything incredibly tight. To hear the drums played with such space in the first set to the full on abuse now being given is night and day whilst the bass knits each song together with the sort of intricate weave you’d come to expect from a band of such quality. There’s so much light and shade.

It’s mesmerising watching the founders of progressive rock and who have inspired everyone from Iron Maiden to Queen amongst countless others. There is once again nothing to do except just sit back and enjoy everything the band has to offer- and of course it’s a lot. We’re treated to a set full of songs spanning the length of breadth of their 53 year career. Tunes like ‘The Hanging Tree’, ‘Traveller in Time’, ‘Rainbow Demon’ and many more are sandwiched between tracks like ‘Stealin’, ‘Free and Easy’, and ‘Sweet Lorraine’. It’s a pulsating set leaving little time to catch your breath before the set ends with ‘July Morning’. No Uriah Heep concert can be complete without ‘Gypsy’, whilst the legendary and ever present ‘Easy Livin’ brings the house to its feet and this wonderful evening of entertainment comes to a close.

The law of averages state there won’t be another 50 year celebration to look forward too but after this performance there’s still plenty of breath left in this beast for a good few years yet.