URIAH HEEP

with RAGDOLL and LEGS ELECTRIC

THE ASTOR THEATRE, PERTH WA

Tuesday 24th March 2015

URIAH HEEP SETLIST: Speed of Sound | The Hanging Tree | The Law | The Outsider | Sunrise | Stealin' | The Magician's Birthday | What Kind of God | One Minute | Can't Take That Away | July Morning | Lady in Black | Encore: Gypsy | Easy Livin'

A lot of things go into making a great night but when you start off with a great room with a great sound and put on two support bands that really compliment the main act you can’t really get off to a better start. Both Ragdoll and Legs Electric – two young Perth bands acquit themselves beautifully tonight: Ragdoll resting on their musicianship and fine songs and Legs Electric with an energetic set and performance that really makes you believe they can get used to stages like this. Best of all though is that the older crowd love both of them and that in itself is confirmation that there’s a lot of life still in this Rock and Roll we love.

Uriah Heep of course need no introduction, one of the fathers of British Rock over the evening we are taken on a ride that takes us all the way back to their ‘umble beginnings with tracks from as far back as 1970 right up to date with five new tracks from 2013’s ‘Outsider’ album.

Speaking of ‘Outsider’ we open up with ‘Speed of Sound’ from that very album, a great tune which more than holds up against a mighty back catalogue. Looking around the audience it’s clear it will be one of those magical nights when everything just feels right. From the off there’s that wonderful sense of anticipation where you feel half the people here can’t believe Heep are actually here; from the old sixty-odd hippie guy who tells me he’s been there from the beginning but this is the very first time he’s seen the band; to the twenty year old girl mouthing all the words to ‘The Musician’s Birthday’…

As you might imagine from a band that has been on the road so many years the music is flawless, but it’s more than that there’s a real relish; a real love of playing live that you can see in every Mick Box grin and salute to the crowd.

Most remarkable of all though is that it’s the sort of gig that seems to go in a flash, without a lull even for a moment. The sort of show where you just can’t take your eyes off the stage. Studded with classics like ‘The Hanging Tree’ from 1977’s Firefly album, the evergreen ‘Sunrise’ and title track from 1972’s The Magician’s Birthday and peppered with new material such as ‘The Law’ and ‘Can’t Take That Away’ the set has a beautiful balance that always keeps you on your toes whether its craving a simple driving Melodic Hard rocker from ‘The Outsider’ or waiting for another trip back down the timeline.

For me a handful of songs sum up the magic of Uriah Heep and we get them all: 1971’s ‘July Morning’ is a Progressive classic and tonight is just sumptuous and ‘Lady in Black’ with its folky vibe is just as memorable a way to close the main set. Back for the encores: ‘Gypsy’ probably takes the prize from the jaws of ‘Easy Livin’’ as far as sheer crowd euphoria goes – but it’s a tough call and what a way to end the night!    

Tonight was a great night and the crowd let the band know in no uncertain terms. Perth fans will be glad to know that we are louder than Sydney, and by the end of the night were louder than Melbourne too. At the end of the show you are left with a stunning realisation: that Uriah Heep may well be one of the best live bands out there today. Tonight was mesmerising. Come back soon.

Check out my 2015 interview with Uriah Heep’s Mick Box HERE

by Mark Rockpit