Blue Oyster Cult & Cats in Space - Leicester De-Montfort Hall

It has been a long, long wait to see the legendary Blue Oyster Cult. My printed ticket shows October 2020 but I suspect the original date was prior to that. I've lost track with all the cancelled Pandemic bands. Not the best of starts, as a rogue pint of Greene King IPA meant my first port of call was an extended visit to their fine facilities... Some sort of order restored, the 'merch'  stand was 'cash only'. No sooner were we in, than we were out again, so to speak. Off in search of an ATM machine down the London Road. A couple of BOC fans were already there, one sporting a 50th anniversary BOC Tee Shirt. Just what I was after! I told him, 'just the £35 pounds for Tee shirts tonight' he informed me. Goodness me that is steep, or words similar to that effect came my reply. That is more than the cost of my ticket!!

Back in the warmth of the venue we gave the 'Merch' stand, and their offensively expensive offerings a wide berth.We had pretty good seats though. Front row of the Lower Circle and fairly central.   

We also had a support band tonight ' Cats In Space'. A band I was aware of if not familiar with their work. They have certainly been around a while , I seem to recall they supported Quo in 2017.  They have also supported Thunder and Deep Purple. They are more 'Pop Rock' than 'Classic Rock' I would say. I struggled to get into the first part of their set. I did enjoy their last three songs better in fairness. I just don't think they are really my thing. That said they do have a following and played with plenty of energy and generally went down well with the crowd.

The audience is probably about 90% capacity as the band take to the stage. I've never seen them before despite an I'm really looking forward to what is to come. I can't wait for 'Don't Fear The Reaper' one of my all time favourite songs. They must do it surely? I won't leave until they do, It would be almost illegal not to surely?  They are doing two headline shows, Leicester and Newcastle, before joining up with Deep Purple as support on the UK leg of their tour. 

Two tracks from the eponymous 1972 debut album 'Blue Oyster Cult' kick us off in fine style. Eric Bloom reminds us that himself and 'Buck Dharma' have been writing together since 1969! They released an new album in late 2020 'The Symbol Remains' which is really good. We get three songs off that album tonight. My favourite would have to be 'Tainted Blood' with the highly versatile 'Richie Castellano' taking lead vocals. What a talent this man is too. Originally the Front of house engineer he now is a pivotal member of the band.   

 

'Burnin for You' from the 1981 album 'Fire of Unknown Origin' comes next. Bloom explains this was the height of MTV and the song had great commercial appeal. It goes down well again tonight. We get our first taste of 'Agents of Fortune' with E.T.I (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). But what s that noise , can you hear it coming? What can it be?  Try not to panic but here comes 'Godzilla' and it nearly does bring the house down. 

'Buck Dharma'

'Buck Dharma' makes it all look so effortless, the driving force of Blue Oyster Cult.The whole band is so accomplished, and the addition of Bass player Danny Miranda seems to have notched them up another level. He was previously with Paul Rogers and Queen.

Before the chaos of Godzilla we had another of my favourites 'Astronomy' from the 'Secret Treaties' Album ( 1974). A fantastic song with Bloom on Vocals, and alternating between, keyboards and guitar too. Metallica also do a fantastic version of 'Astronomy' which is well worth the listen. 

Finally the moment I have been waiting for. I feel the hairs on my neck rise, It's an emotional moment as that distinctive opening guitar riff opens up. For the next 5 minutes I'm totally transfixed  with 'Don't Fear The Reaper'. A dream fulfilled tonight in Leicester. The band leave to a rapturous standing applause.

It is a short hiatus though as they return to the stage with 'Harvester of Eyes' and 'Hot Rails to Hell'. By now everyone is up on their feet, many have made to pilgrimage to the edge of the stage. The night finishes with a thumping rendition of 'Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll.
The band leave the stage again, and this time the house lights come on and the end is nigh. 

It has been a fantastic night without any doubt. I did have an iffy tummy, and lack of a Tee Shirt. But hey it's all about the music isn't it!

They really are a fantastic band who have stood the test of time. Despite the titles of many of the songs they are surprisingly melodic. But at the same time can belt it out when they need to and fulfil the 'Heavy Metal' label. There is no doubt that they were influenced by the likes of 'The Grateful Dead', 'Jefferson Airplane', 'The Doors', 'Alice Cooper' and 'Jimi Hendrix'. 

Judging on tonight's performance the symbol remains very strong for Blue Oyster Cult.