PJA - Storytellers Night: UFO - Northampton Roadmender

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

UFO - Northampton Roadmender

At last seeing UFO was finally going to happen , it had been a long wait. For a variety of reasons, cancellations, illness, holidays to name but three we have consistently avoided each other over the years. And there have been some years ! Vocalist Phil Mogg, guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way, and drummer Andy Parker formed the British metal outfit band in 1969.Originally known as Hocus Pocus, the group, which took the name UFO in honour of a London club, debuted in 1971 with UFO 1.

Even better then that the gig should be taking place in my home town of Northampton. Particularly as we have only jetted in from Menorca a few hours previously. A nice surprise was to find that Wayward Sons were the support band. With former 'Little Angels' frontman Toby Jebson the new album 'Ghosts Of Yet To
Come' has been getting a lot of airplay on Planet Rock.

They did remind me in some ways of 80's UFO and went down very well with the crowd. Set list as follows;
By the time UFO hit the stage the Roadmender had filled up very nicely. Being on the front rail it was difficult to tell how full and I wasn't moving. It was a bit of a shock to see 'Veteran' Phil Mogg with his shaved head, something he later drew reference to by saying 'it was brought to his attention that one publication stated that he now has a 'shiny head' ..... All very different from the 80's heydays. My worry was that his distinctive voice may well have voice may well have gone the same way has his hair?

I needn't have worried as the band launched staright into 'We belong to the Night' from the 1982 album 'Mechanix'. This was followed by 'Run Boy Run' from 21st and the latest album (2015) 'A Conspiracy of Stars'. One of two tracks taken from this album on the night. The first 'big song' was the fourth one 'Lights Out' which got the crowd rocking.

This was followed by another classic 'Only You can Rock me' and ''Burn Your House Down' from 'Seven Deadly' (2012).Vinnie Moore has been Lead Guitarist since 2003. On Bass is another American Rob De Luca, Paul Raymond on Rhythm Guitar and Keyboards and Andy Parker on drums.

In my opinion it was a great set list with two more crackers back to back 'Love to Love' and 'Too hot to handle'. But the best was yet to come with two of my all time favourite songs. The final song before the encore was 'Rock Bottom' with Moore showcasing just what a fantastic player he is. The band returned to the stage to treat us to 'Doctor Doctor' before finishing the set with 'Shoot Shoot'. A truly exceptional evening and one that will live long in the memory . I can at long last say I have seen UFO !