Hello
Wild Horse
Posts: 41
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Post by Hello on Nov 27, 2017 23:52:07 GMT
Having not seen the new Mark 3 Quo at all and not having seen the “modern Quo” since 2012 and with no Rick I was really unsure about going tonight. The ticket prices are ridiculous, come on really £60 and £50 is too much. A mixture of rip off prices and “no Rick no Quo” sentiment definitely had an effect on the crowd size. The City Hall holds 2,300 and tonight the whole top circle was empty with dozens of other seats unsold, been an anorak and counting best I could I reckon there were about 600 empty seats.
However this should not sway opinion on the band or performance one way or the other. Cats from Space opened and were pretty good if you like mid tempo prog rock, I quite enjoyed them.
On came Quo to moderate applause but they soon got the party under the way with a far heavier sound than I expected, it was raw almost punky very tight and punchy. Ritchie to be fair looks the part and plays very tight and looks serious about his business, I could not fault him all night. Rhino however !! he really should not be singing, he f#'kin murdered Rain, really half hearted attempt at one of my favourite songs. He also sang Creepin Up , slightly better but it was flat and a tad boring sorry boys but it needs dropping. The only one he sang ok was Again and Again.
Ritchie on the other hand belted out Little Lady with gusto, great vocals well delivered with passion and in tune, one of the highlights of the set for me. Other extra singing duties went to Andy Bown and boy can he sing when given full rein, Dont Drive My Car was very powerful as was Whatever You Want, big tick well done that man.
A predicable set rolled by but felt reasonably fresh for me having not seen em for a while (preferring the Frantic tours). Oriental was nice and punchy as was Beginning of the End. ROLD was very heavy just spoilt a tad in the middle by an over enthusiastic organ bashing from Andy, but nevertheless good. Hold ya Back was nice and rocky.
Francis was in good form and I noticed 2 or 3 times he said “play it straight “ to Rhino presumably meaning dont lark about and keep it tight. Certainly his playing was tight and efficient. He didnt do much banter for a change but what he did was the usual comedy value and very engaging as he has that knack for. He seemed to look up to the heavens at the start of Down Down (maybe my imagination but maybe a nod to Rick). The new intro to Down Down is fine but he botched the end of it ..oops. ROATW fine crowd up.
Burning Bridges got the best reaction of the night , the whole place bopping about and it sounded good to be fair. Concert ended with a few rounds of Bye Bye Johnny , cant even remember if they actually sang the verses.
My conclusion is that they sounded tight and quite raw (just take the mike away from Rhino) , Ritchie was excellent and made the band seem almost youthful, great singer , good guitar work. Leon was efficient and looks like he enjoys himself. Andy looks happy with the increased guitar work and singing. Francis was just Francis he played well , guitar sound was excellent. I'd go again … but not at those ticket prices ! A good night of rock n roll, glad I went.
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Post by bridsparegular on Nov 28, 2017 0:17:22 GMT
FR won't have been looking up to the heavens thinking of Rick(RIP), he'll have been clocking all the empty seats!(Imo of course..)
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Hello
Wild Horse
Posts: 41
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Post by Hello on Nov 28, 2017 0:24:31 GMT
Too much money for the tickets , just crazy !!!
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Post by smokie on Nov 28, 2017 6:11:16 GMT
That's an interesting review, thanks for posting. More postive comments re Richie, sounds as if he's really growing into the role. No surprises in the set then? Just the same old predictable mundane one. I don't suppose they'll ever change it now, it is what it is but I do think complacency has definitely set in there. You went with an open mind and no one can ask for more than that
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mortified
Administrator
This is no' gettin' the bairn a shirt
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Post by mortified on Nov 28, 2017 6:37:16 GMT
Nice review. Certainly fair. Although I still like Rhino's voice The ticket prices are much higher this year but that's because it was meant to be Aquostic. When they announced they were, eh, plugging back in, the prices stayed the same. Bringing them down to the usual £38 or so would have pi$$ed some of us off even more, adding insult to injury. We all knew - or presumed - ticket sales were an issue. And we all speculate on the reasons. I suspect it's a combination of everything that's happened in the past year and a bit, plus those prices. Not playing the UK in particular for a year will not do them any harm.
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Post by snakelady on Nov 28, 2017 8:23:44 GMT
Hello - Good to see you managed to get a ticket and then enjoyed the gig. Basically your experience is the same we made last winter - I was surprised how great they sounded - like a rock band again, emphasis on band as opposed to a duo plus a few others. And completely agree about Rhino's singing. Why have him sing at all, now that they do have another very good singer again ?? Andy's voice is Ok for some tunes - I can imagine it fitting very well for LOAI i.e. and he stays in tune. Rhino doesn't, sorry Rhino, but please leave the singing to the others. This shouldn't be about ego, but about ability .. And, as mortified says - they made a mess out of this tour in various ways from a marketing POV, so no surprise fans staid away. They will return though - if the band comes back in 2019 after a strong new album and with a fresh set. Could become their Heavy Traffic actually. Convincing gigs this winter won't hurt either.
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Post by aitchfrossi on Nov 28, 2017 8:47:00 GMT
Well..not a sell out..fed up that when I bought my tickets no floor ones available so ended up in circle only to see empty spaces on floor! 40 years of Quoing and really really hope last night was not my last gig...please do something here next year I love these concerts soooo much. A good support band began the night...and got to say well done malone...an excellent job and tribute to Ricks teaching. The band were on good form Francis seemed more energised than he has been for a while..full of bounce! Ricks songs were sung well..only one thought on this...when the set of his songs would be nice to project the official website pic with not a bad life really onto the back drop. A GREAT NIGHT QUO... Really need a couple of shows next year..desperate to go again this year but too far to travel....KEEP ROCKING folks and enjoy it while you can
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Post by tramper on Nov 28, 2017 12:29:26 GMT
Not sure about the fans coming back.. i personally think the opposite. I think the crowds will dwindle. No Rick, ticket prices, stale boring set!!!
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Hello
Wild Horse
Posts: 41
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Post by Hello on Nov 28, 2017 12:55:20 GMT
Yep they need to do something to win the audiences back, a big challenge for Francis and one I think he will rise to. Lots of positives to work on I feel, especially that the band seems very energetic and rocky on stage and the youthful boost of Ritchie and Leon. Quo have one of the largest fanbases of any band in the UK to try and tap into, just a hard nut to crack with tickets prices high and the fact that most fans will have seen em possibly dozens of times before, how do you get them back for a rainy Nov night in places like Sheffield ? They do well with the summer shows still and get good audiences so maybe that is the route and leave the winter tour (as they are doing next year). The other obvious one is to bring out a fresh punchy in your face rock album that will make people sit up and take notice and think wow there is life in the old dog. Just a thought but its a big big challenge ... huge
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mortified
Administrator
This is no' gettin' the bairn a shirt
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Post by mortified on Nov 28, 2017 13:09:52 GMT
....but its a big big challenge ... huge I tend to agree but I also think they've brought it on themselves. Well, someone in there has. Whether it's an unfortunate combination of Rick initially not being up to it so announcing their last 'electric' gigs, followed by looking at a more permanent move into Aquostic, which frankly never had the legs, is up for speculative debate. But the latter was a major misjudgement. Although not by anyone on this side of the fence! Sales of the second Aquostic album should have rung alarm bells, surely? A rapidly dwindling audience for live Aquostic resulted in plugging back in by which time it was too late. People had decided they wouldn't bother this year. All of that coupled with Rick's passing has meant a year of bad judgement, poor decision making, NO new material as well as the usual over-familiarity with the set. None of which is a great combination in this business. They are still a fabulous band; the best on the planet. But someone somewhere has taken too much for granted for too long.
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Post by smokie on Nov 28, 2017 13:37:42 GMT
Perhaps if they do tour again in the UK, they'll ditch the arenas and resort to playing theatres/concert halls and that might be out of necessity as opposed to choice?
I'm not going but had the Glasgow date been Aquostic, I'd definitely be going. I'm not a great fan of The Hydro or any other of the soulless arenas that they usually play these days. The facilities might be great for the band but it leads to a night with little atmosphere. I much prefer The Armadillo, had some great nights down the front there.
I suppose I'm a lapsed fan these days but I'd go if the venue was one I liked and the set was updated.
Never Say Never.
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Post by tramper on Nov 28, 2017 14:24:13 GMT
....but its a big big challenge ... huge I tend to agree but I also think they've brought it on themselves. Well, someone in there has. Whether it's an unfortunate combination of Rick initially not being up to it so announcing their last 'electric' gigs, followed by looking at a more permanent move into Aquostic, which frankly never had the legs, is up for speculative debate. But the latter was a major misjudgement. Although not by anyone on this side of the fence! Sales of the second Aquostic album should have rung alarm bells, surely? A rapidly dwindling audience for live Aquostic resulted in plugging back in by which time it was too late. People had decided they wouldn't bother this year. All of that coupled with Rick's passing has meant a year of bad judgement, poor decision making, NO new material as well as the usual over-familiarity with the set. None of which is a great combination in this business. They are still a fabulous band; the best on the planet. But someone somewhere has taken too much for granted for too long. good post 😉
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Post by problemshalved on Nov 28, 2017 15:14:54 GMT
Future tours will be driven by need to find a promoter willing to underwrite. It could be that larger venues are out of the question for that very reason. Given Frame was fed up with the number of gigs smaller venues generate and poor backstage facilities it could that this is the end of winter tours full stop. Of course it could change with an Album and well focused promoting around that Album, but the money around Albums is no longer there, so Frame would really have to be up for it for that to happen
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mortified
Administrator
This is no' gettin' the bairn a shirt
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Post by mortified on Nov 28, 2017 16:55:28 GMT
Future tours will be driven by need to find a promoter willing to underwrite. It could be that larger venues are out of the question for that very reason. Given Frame was fed up with the number of gigs smaller venues generate and poor backstage facilities it could that this is the end of winter tours full stop. Of course it could change with an Album and well focused promoting around that Album, but the money around Albums is no longer there, so Frame would really have to be up for it for that to happen Which makes you wonder why they no longer tour the UK in the summer. Like they did with the Ain't Complaining and .... Heat albums. I take it that it was a conscious decision not to. More money on the festival/picnic circuit maybe? There's certainly less chance of bronchitis in those kerrapy little theatres Talking of which, there are many extremely nice theatres about that are either brand new or have been renovated to a high standard. Edinburgh has at least 3 but Quo never play them! They don't all have to be old, falling down dives like.... Nah, I won't say. Might cause offence
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Post by quodlibet aka granny on Nov 28, 2017 17:50:15 GMT
Future tours will be driven by need to find a promoter willing to underwrite. It could be that larger venues are out of the question for that very reason. Given Frame was fed up with the number of gigs smaller venues generate and poor backstage facilities it could that this is the end of winter tours full stop. Of course it could change with an Album and well focused promoting around that Album, but the money around Albums is no longer there, so Frame would really have to be up for it for that to happen Which makes you wonder why they no longer tour the UK in the summer. Speke Hall in 2012?
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Nov 28, 2017 18:21:37 GMT
Which makes you wonder why they no longer tour the UK in the summer. Speke Hall in 2012? I think he meant a full on indoor Quo tour, not just the festivals and one offs they do most summers.
I think I went to the Speke hall gig at the last minute.....nearly got into a fight with some local youths who got in over the wall, intent on causing trouble and not caring who they disrespected! Didn't enjoy that one
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Post by I Ain't Complaining on Nov 28, 2017 18:35:47 GMT
Having not seen the new Mark 3 Quo at all and not having seen the “modern Quo” since 2012 and with no Rick I was really unsure about going tonight. The ticket prices are ridiculous, come on really £60 and £50 is too much. A mixture of rip off prices and “no Rick no Quo” sentiment definitely had an effect on the crowd size. The City Hall holds 2,300 and tonight the whole top circle was empty with dozens of other seats unsold, been an anorak and counting best I could I reckon there were about 600 empty seats. However this should not sway opinion on the band or performance one way or the other. Cats from Space opened and were pretty good if you like mid tempo prog rock, I quite enjoyed them. On came Quo to moderate applause but they soon got the party under the way with a far heavier sound than I expected, it was raw almost punky very tight and punchy. Ritchie to be fair looks the part and plays very tight and looks serious about his business, I could not fault him all night. Rhino however !! he really should not be singing, he f#'kin murdered Rain, really half hearted attempt at one of my favourite songs. He also sang Creepin Up , slightly better but it was flat and a tad boring sorry boys but it needs dropping. The only one he sang ok was Again and Again. Ritchie on the other hand belted out Little Lady with gusto, great vocals well delivered with passion and in tune, one of the highlights of the set for me. Other extra singing duties went to Andy Bown and boy can he sing when given full rein, Dont Drive My Car was very powerful as was Whatever You Want, big tick well done that man. A predicable set rolled by but felt reasonably fresh for me having not seen em for a while (preferring the Frantic tours). Oriental was nice and punchy as was Beginning of the End. ROLD was very heavy just spoilt a tad in the middle by an over enthusiastic organ bashing from Andy, but nevertheless good. Hold ya Back was nice and rocky. Francis was in good form and I noticed 2 or 3 times he said “play it straight “ to Rhino presumably meaning dont lark about and keep it tight. Certainly his playing was tight and efficient. He didnt do much banter for a change but what he did was the usual comedy value and very engaging as he has that knack for. He seemed to look up to the heavens at the start of Down Down (maybe my imagination but maybe a nod to Rick). The new intro to Down Down is fine but he botched the end of it ..oops. ROATW fine crowd up. Burning Bridges got the best reaction of the night , the whole place bopping about and it sounded good to be fair. Concert ended with a few rounds of Bye Bye Johnny , cant even remember if they actually sang the verses. My conclusion is that they sounded tight and quite raw (just take the mike away from Rhino) , Ritchie was excellent and made the band seem almost youthful, great singer , good guitar work. Leon was efficient and looks like he enjoys himself. Andy looks happy with the increased guitar work and singing. Francis was just Francis he played well , guitar sound was excellent. I'd go again … but not at those ticket prices ! A good night of rock n roll, glad I went. Thanks for putting your review up Hello . I was waiting for someone to review it, as I wasn't really sure where to start! I pretty much agree with what you've said; Richie, Rhino's voice, Andy's singing. Andy's singing was so much better than last year on WYW imo, and it definitely works better him playing guitar to WYW and singing from the front of the stage. I thought he sung DDMC really well as you said, but I don't like that version of the song, it spoilt the flow a bit for me.
I think Richie's singing was excellent, and him and Andy should share Rick's songs and maybe just leave Rhino one (or none)! Little Lady and Softer Ride were the highlights for me; Francis nailed the solo in LL; his soloing was really good all night (except the bit in ROLD) but LL in particular was superb, a real throwback to the FF reunions.
They don't play the verses of Bye Bye Johnny; BB was excellent (if you like it), but to be honest I find the rest of the encore a bit of a waste of time....a bit of Rock n Roll Music and a few chorus's of BBJ, just play 2 quality songs and be done with it. Put Junior's Wailing (if anyone can sing it) or Don't Waste My time back in and finish with BB.
I found it was a different experience this year than last (I am finding a few things missing without Rick), and they've changed a few small things, but all in all a decent gig (in Manchester on Sunday).
PS. I don't think I paid more than normal for our tickets, and I bought them full price as soon as they came out (maybe I didn't notice)! PPS. I don't mind the new bit at the start of Down Down, but at least play the real intro as well! Classic intro, gutted he didn't play it (but it isn't the first tour he's cut it out, it was missing or shortened for years).
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Post by coldwarkid on Nov 28, 2017 20:23:33 GMT
I posted this on the other side.
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Post by smokie on Nov 28, 2017 21:37:11 GMT
I thought that was pretty impressive! coldwarkid, thanks for posting
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Hello
Wild Horse
Posts: 41
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Post by Hello on Nov 28, 2017 22:43:59 GMT
Out of interest Robert Plant has sold out the City Hall for his impending visit and a Freddie less Queen is playing the Arena to 10,000 plus on Friday , with tickets at £88 !! Maybe an unfair comparison due to Quo's relentless touring which neither of the above have done. But if Queen can reinvent themselves maybe Quo can, cheaper tickets , decent album and a fresh setlist would help, the band themselves are playing well and full of energy they just need to get the word out !
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Isaac Ryan
Special Forces
Loz' Deputy
Posts: 1,036
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Post by Isaac Ryan on Dec 1, 2017 18:06:57 GMT
I posted this on the other side. You posted it on the other side 😲 Good luck with that one 😀
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Post by coldwarkid on Dec 1, 2017 19:29:56 GMT
I posted this on the other side. You posted it on the other side 😲 Good luck with that one 😀 The ensuing thread only went on for three pages.
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Post by snakelady on Dec 3, 2017 9:06:48 GMT
Out of interest Robert Plant has sold out the City Hall for his impending visit and a Freddie less Queen is playing the Arena to 10,000 plus on Friday , with tickets at £88 !! Maybe an unfair comparison due to Quo's relentless touring which neither of the above have done. But if Queen can reinvent themselves maybe Quo can, cheaper tickets , decent album and a fresh setlist would help, the band themselves are playing well and full of energy they just need to get the word out ! Agree ! There's not a lot can be done about this tour and sales figures this year. A mess was made out of it for various reasons already mentioned. BUT so far all performances have received brilliant reviews from those who've actually been there. That will make folk return and/or spread the word. I'm convinced the next tour will sell considerably better, especially with the band not touring next winter - and hopefully not doing too many summer shows. It'll certainly lead to withdrawal symptoms and the gigs in '19 will become more of a special occasion and less of a habit. Add to that a new record and a sensible choice of support and it could indeed give the band a new lease of life. I doubt they've got anything to do with ticket prices though. That'll be solely down to the promoter I assume.
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