ShareAndrew Roachford performing at The Venue Derby on Thursday 10th November 2016
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Despite being the current co-lead singer with Mike + The Mechanics that did not stop Andrew Roachford from performing live at The Venue last night, on his own and with his band.
Whilst he may have kept this audience waiting, within a few bars of the music being played he was instantly forgiven as he opened his set with The Doctor. Supported by a bassist, lead guitarist, and a drummer, Roachford often took the opportunity to play keyboards, and showed just how good he is.
With a very diverse set list, he delivered a scorching version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Under The Bridge, and followed up with The Way I Feel. With his vocals still as strong as ever, Roachford is one of the best soul men around. His funked up version of Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine had everyone singing and dancing, and putting his own slant on Sly & The Family Stones’s Family Affair, it was very hard to keep still.
Now sharing lead vocals with Tim Howar in Mike + The Mechanics, he did justice to Over My Shoulder as this crowd belted back the words. Other great songs included Ride This Storm, Lay Your Love and This Generation, before Roachford came back without his band to finish in his simplistic but brilliant style with Get Ready and Only To Be With You before closing the evening with the song with which he had bulldozed his way onto the scene in the late 80s, the delightful Cuddly Toy.
This small intimate venue had witnessed amazing songs and a performance from a much underrated band and singer. Roachford ended, promising to visit The Venue more often, and from the way this crowd reacted, he would be more than welcome.
