SLADE/SONS OF THE SEVENTIES
02 OXFORD
For people of a certain age (like me), there is something worryingly reassuring about an early curfew, and tonight, we were heading down the bustling Cowley Road at nine thirty-five. It was wonderful. This is the fifth consecutive year Sons Of Seventies have opened up for Slade, and with good reason, they deliver. Led Zep, The Knack, Rainbow, Whitesnake, and Deep Purple all get the down ‘n dirty SOTS treatment. Celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of two of their biggest hitz Slade kicks off with ‘Take Me Back ‘Ome’ and it’s thumped out as the anthemic, fist-pumping chorus puts the celebratory crowd firmly in the palm of the band’s hand. The understated pomp of ‘Look Wot You Dun’ is followed by the heart-string tug of ‘Everyday’ and the Glam Bam Slam of ‘Cuz I Luv You’. An ageless Dave Hill stands on monitors, waves his muscley arms, and playfully waggles his seventy-eight-year-old bum at the festive throng. He’s the star but the backbone of Alex Bines. John Berry and Russell Keefe all make the Slade magic possible. ‘Run Run Away’, ‘My Friend Stan’ and ‘Far Far Away’ push into ‘Gudbye T’Jane’, and before you say “alright bab”, we’re into the biggies. The words are all sung loud and proud as ‘Mama We’re All Crazee Now’ is hollered back before the encores. ‘My Oh My’ was (like many of the band’s songs) way before its time, while ‘Cum On Feel The Noize’ is a pure 100% bostin belter. The Christmas hats arrive as ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ gets its yearly infectious December outing. Slade is so much more than one mega Xmas hit, and witnessing this massively influential band live is just a smile-inducing unbridled Rock ‘N’ Roll joy, baby baby baby.