19/02/05 - SPRINGHEAD PUB, HULL

Review by Steven Stanley:
It had been a while since my last gig seeing the Experience back in June last year with Adrian in Scunthorpe, so it was about time I saw them again after my USA journey and what not. Since then times have changed and so has the band. George has now left the band and Kenny (known as Kenny Scott hehe!) is now on lead guitar instead. I remember seeing him fill in for George a year ago in Cresswell and he did an awesome job so I knew we were in for a treat with him. Also they have changed the drummer for somebody else... again, another excellent addition to the band because the guy is amazing on drums... as his solo during the band intros showed.

Anyway I got to the Springhead just as it started snowing and got chatting to the band straight away catching up as it had been a while since I last saw them. All of them were well up for the show and seemed really up for it... more than usual. I got talking to Stuart and asked if the band played any new songs from the album... to my surprise they were. I asked Stu if he did the harmonica part on 'Open Road'... "sure do" was the reply.

Sure enough when the guys hit the stage they started with Open Road and Stu did the harmonica. It was really surreal. They didn't sound like the BA Experience of a year ago. They sounded a lot more relaxed and carefree I guess. Although of course they were always amazing, I think the new band setup has put them up a gear. Some songs they used to sound like they were trying too hard to be Bryan... now it's just like friends jamming onstage... just like Bryan and Keith. I think the whole band sound and look more like Bryan than ever. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing when they played 'Open Road' it was just sheer class. Right down to the guitar start on Stu's strat to the harmonica solo and even K-man's (Kenny's) short solo they had it all down to a tee. Squint your eyes and it was BA playing in a pub... they were that good.

After 'Open Road' the familiar songs followed... but they were all way better than how they used to do them. 'Back To You' was done electrically and it sounded more like the version BA plays... infact exactly like it.... the big anthemic sound was there during this song that makes it so great. Beforehand the band used to play it too slow for my liking but now they have it down to a tee. Even the 'bounce' bit in the middle is all there. Last year the band got to see quite a few BA shows (Hull, Newcastle & Wembley) so they have obviously been taking note of the new arrangements BA uses. The whole band now sounds fuller and not as sparse as before. Like I say, with the old band nothing needed changing and they sounded fine... but from what I heard at Hull the new band members have done them no harm at all. Kenny Scott's solo on 'It's Only Love' wasn't far off Keith's!

The encore was bloody stunning as well... 'I Faught The Law' and 'Blessing In Disguise'... the latter was AWESOME. Better than I remember BA doing it in Cardiff... a really rowdy bar rocker and it totally rocked the place.

I walked outside after the show to a complete snow blizzard and very icey conditions! Just about got home! Very glad I went though because the band were awesome. Anyway it was a great show and it was nice to see the lads again... roll on the next show in Scarborough!

© 2005 18 Til I Die.co.uk. All rights reserved.
Web site comments to admin@18tilidie.co.uk

If you are a Bryan Adams fan wanting the guys to play at your local venue you can contact them throught their website go>

The boys hit the b-stage (bar table hehe!)

New axeman Kenny on guitar

Gary still doing a great job on bass

The snow storm on the way home!