ShareDeacon Blue performing their All The Old 45s Tour at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Thursday 21st September 2023.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Fresh from their performance at Leicester’s Radio 2 In The Park, Deacon Blue were at the Royal Concert Hall on Thursday when they delivered a night of hits old and new during two sets which lasted more than two hours.
Coming on stage to a sold out crowd they delivered an acoustic set which displayed a warm and intimate start as the band stood behind a microphone for Queen Of The New Year.
Along with long time drummer Dougie Vipond, keyboardist James Prime, guitarist Gregor Philip and bassist Lewis Gordon, front man Ricky Ross and vocalist Lorraine McIntosh then took their places for S.H.A.R.O.N. Making an early appearance in this acoustic set was the sublime Chocolate Girl which delighted the crowd.
McIntosh took the lead for Cover From The Sky, which was a magical moment as her voice commanded the Hall. Finishing the set with a gorgeous Homesick, fans new and old had revelled in the sound of this distinctive Glasgow band.
After a short break they were back on for a rip roaring The Hipster and Wages Day. There was a celebratory Twist And Shout and When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring) had the crowd singing along. Loaded landed just after the midway point and was a real crowd pleaser, but the atmosphere was simply electrifying for Real Gone Kid.
Finishing the main set with Raintown and That’s What We Can Do, Ross had showed the prowess in his vocals as well as his unique tone which proved to be flawless whilst the charismatic McIntosh’s voice remains a wonder.
For the encore they returned to rapturous applause for the beautiful Peace Will Come, followed by Deacon Blue’s signature song Dignity which was something to behold as the crowd took in every word. Fergus Sings The Blues was greeted wildly by the amped up crowd before the evening was brought to a close with a cover of Warren Zevon’s Keep Me In Your Heart.
