YOU ARE HERE TOUR | THE MONKEY PUZZLE TOUR 2006/2007   UK TOUR | EUROPEAN TOUR | FESTIVALS | USA TOUR UK June 14th through to June 24th 2004 Special guests in the UK: The Quireboys June 14th - UK Croydon, Fairfield June 15th - UK Bristol, Colston Hall June 16th - UK Manchester, Apollo - REVIEW | PHOTOS June 18th - UK Newcastle, City Hall June 19th - Glasgow, Carling Academy - REVIEW | PHOTOS | REVIEW | REVIEW June 20th - Wolverhampton, Civic Hall | PHOTOS | PHOTOS | PHOTOS June 22th - Cambridge, Corn Exchange June 23th - Nottingham, Rock City June 24th - UK London, Astoria | REVIEW

Hey all. Just back home from a boozy evening in Glasgow,

and ready to post some brief reviews of the UK dates I have attended.

Manchester Apollo isn't really an ideal place for a rock gig, as it is a seated venue which can work against a rocking crowd. Spike, the singer of support act the Quireboys, had a hard task getting the seated crowd to show any enthusiam until the final few numbers of their set. More people gathered around the front of the stage in the wait for UFO, and when the lights went down and the intro tape of Mannish Boy began, the crowd really began to get into it.
And then there they were onstage, straight into Midnight Train. The sound wasnt very good for the first 2 numbers, but once they got into Let It Roll and beyond it was better, but still not great. It was obvious the band were a little edgy returning to Manchester after the last debacle there, but the crowd were loving it, and I think that set the band at ease. All members were in good form, with particular kudos to Jason Bonham, whose fiery drumming really revitalises the old numbers. Vinnie Moore was technically superb, but I had trouble hearing his solos clearly, and I have to admit towards of the gig i felt pretty widdled out at the appearance of yet another 300 mph solo. Pete was Pete, having fun and trying to ensure that everyone else had fun too. Moggy was in good form vocally, and it was great to see Kipper back into the fold.
Only real disappointment of the night was just 3 tracks playing played from You Are Here. No Call Me or JelloMan.

Review ©2004 Mark Birdsall

MORE PHOTOS - ©2004 Batttttty

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June 19th - Glasgow, Carling Academy

And so onto Glasgow, and before I make comment please let me make a number of provisos first:
1) For the Mancs gig I was with my girlfriend halfway down the hall. At Glasgow I was right up front and thus more immersed in the whole thing
2) Much beer had passed my lips in Scotland :)
With these points stated, let me say that UFO were absolutely on fire in Glasgow. They rocked the house down, and the crowd rocked with them. The band were obviously in good spirits, both individually as as a unit, and I think the rabid reception of the fans also pushed the band further. Particular praise to Vinnie - maybe I could hear him better at Glasgow - as his soloing was both technically excellent and wonderfully melodic. Hard to choose any standout tracks from such a sparkling performance, but if pushed I would say that Fighting Man in particular hammered home the power and confidence of this new lineup. Sadly, despite massed calls for Mr Freeze, only 3 tracks from the new album were played. All in all a wonderful gig, and as the band made their final farewells Phil and Vinnie left the stage hugging each other like brothers. Who'dve ever imagined that in recent years?
Lastly, after the gig I went out to the rear entrance and hung out with some of the hardcore UFOheads until the band members left the venue. It was great to shake hands and have a chat with my musical heroes. Pete in particular was chatty and extraordinarily humble, if a little inebriated :) These final encounters really put the seal upon an extraordinary night of rock and roll.

Set list:
Midnight Train
Mother Mary
Daylight Goes to Town
Let It Roll
I'm A Loser
This Kids
Wild One
Fighting Man
Only You Can Rock Me - (these 2 tracks exchanged places)
Baby Blue - (at Glasgow )
Love To Love
Too Hot To Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
Doctor Doctor ( 1st encore )
Shoot Shoot ( 2nd encore )

 

Review ©2004 Mark Birdsall

BACK TO DATES

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June 19th - Glasgow, Carling Academy

Glasgow Academy gig review

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June 19th - Glasgow, Carling Academy

another review

 

June 24th what a night

England to play Portugual in the European 2004 and the whole nation talking about it!
There I was quite nicely slipping in to middle age - picking up my copy of classic rock magazine with gardeners monthly when suddenly and suprisingly I am sitting on my boyfriends shoulders wildly rocking to Too Hot to Handle and boy was that night hot!! hold that wheelchair and old peoples home! UFO rocked and looked amazing Phils vocals were stunning and Vinnie Moore fitted into the band like a glove! er Michael who.....?

Mdinight train lifted the crowd into the gig - and I thought the band looked a little subdued and
perhaps tired after the tour but a huge crowd considering the football seemed to get behind the band and lift them. My personal fave song was 'Rock Bottom' and Pete Way in Pink leather trousers and bass laying on the stage just like 1977. 'Lights out' just set the whole venue alight.

Coming out of the gig was like emerging from a sauna and I take to take a day off work the next day! but I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Thanks UFO come back soon

Sue Hall
UFO spotter
London i i