Live Review : Uriah Heep @ The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on October 3rd 2022

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.

Live Review : Saxon + Uriah Heep + Girlschool + Diamond Head @ O2 Apollo, Manchester on January 28th 2022

So, the light at the end of the tunnel has wheels of steel. Tonight, is a veritable oasis in an otherwise arid desert of cancellations and postponed shows. This show was meant to happen in October 2019 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Saxon releasing their first record, however due to Biff’s heart problems and the inevitable onset of Covid, this is now a (as he coins it early into their headline set) a 42nd year commemorative show. Leading up to this evening the omens haven’t been good. Every other event and tour around it has hit the wall and even the Glasgow Barrowland leg of this short soiree around the country has been postponed. However, with the same level of dogged resilience that has seen them regain their position as one of the marquee names in British Heavy Metal, the band have vehemently maintained that tonight would go ahead,

Live Review : Uriah Heep + Von Hertzen Brothers @ O2 Ritz, Manchester on December 12th 2018

Johann rocks up to the house, sends me a text “Thanks, Love!”. It’s sweet but I think the sentiment is misguided, I’ll take it though, it’s a harsh world and the cold is eating through my chequered shirt. If K is reading this, I think it was meant for you! We are on the road early; New Years resolutions are being activated early. It’s the new way, Johann assures me. So of course we get to the gig with ten minutes to spare. “Should I move to Manchester?” He jokes, “Manchester people are so much friendlier!” just as he is cut up by an errant Mancunian in a silver Volvo.