THE QUIREBOYS/ LAST GREAT DREAMERS
SLADE ROOMS
WOLVERHAMPTON
Last Great Dreamers draw a healthy sized early crowd and with good reason – By Guy Shankland. The band punch out a dandy set of catchy top hat Rock ‘N’ Roll. ‘You Don’t Work’, ’Ashtray Eyes’ and the infectious ’White Light (Black Heart)’ provide more than enough proof of their undoubted songwriting quality. With a new album on the Pledge horizon, the Dreamers show no sign of slowing down. The standout ’Oblivion Kids’ along with ‘Last Great Dreamer’ end a top-notch, energetic and highly entertaining support slot. For Three decades The Quireboys have been a swashbuckling cocktail of good time Blues soaked Rock. Pirate prince frontman Spike can still hold a note with his distinctive Geordie meets Rod the Mod raspy singing style. For all their excellent later day releases it’s the early hits from the ’Bit Of What You Fancy’ era that get the most enthusiastic reaction. ‘There She Goes Again’, ‘Tramps And Thieves’ and a raucous ‘Hey You’ keep the well-oiled set motoring along nicely. A stunning ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ coerces a loud boozy Saturday night sing-song out of the bustling Slade rooms. Towards the end, it becomes clear that Spike is slightly sozzled but to his credit, he doesn’t miss a beat, word or mike stand twirl. Hit single ‘7 ‘0’ Clock’ is a full-on, bona fide early nineties Brit Rock classic, it shimmey’s ’N’ shakes with a timeless Small Faces ease. In 2017 The Quireboys remain, loveable, flamboyant musical minstrels, who kick out whiskey fuelled, barfly bruising, Seventies infused Rock ‘N’ Roll, here’s to the next thirty.