New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Classic and Progressive Rock

UFO Leeds O2 Academy Sunday 18 March 2012

Just back from tonight’s UFO gig at the O2 in Leeds. Man, they really turned it up to eleven tonight with an absolutely first rate performance. This was another one more time I’ve seen them over the years than I’ve had hot dinners and they do not disappoint. From Let it Roll all the way through to Shoot Shoot this was a band right on it for night on two hours.

The Heavy Metal Kids gave us something to listen to for a while and didn’t sound too bad at all. Can’t say I’m familiar with their work from the “old days” though they were entertaining enough to make me want to get hold of an album to see what’s really what.

Just about 9pm it was time for the main event. Phil Mogg, Vinnie Moore, Andy Parker, Paul Raymond and Ron De Luca open it up with Let It Roll and it’s quite obvious that we’re all in for a good night. Phil sounds great and then we get two songs off the new offering Seven Deadly as Phil says there have been some “complaints” about not enough new stuff so it’s Fight Night and Wonderland next.

It’s a nice tight, powerful performance although after I’m a Loser and This Kids some of the crows stood near me start to whine that there are no “classics.” C’mon boys – UFO are not a band that has to trade on “classics” with enough bona fide other stuff to fill a dozen set lists and then some.

Saving Me proves that point and a fine rendition of Burn Your House Down (another off Seven Deadly) simply reinforces that. The new stuff sounding crisp and clean and right at home already.

The few restless locals are then treated to their “classics” with Love to Love, Too Hot to Handle, Lights Out and a particularly excellent extended Rock Bottom closing out the set. Oh – I forgot that the nice surprise song tonight was Venus off Walk on Water. Nice choice lads.

An encore of (what else) but Doctor Doctor and Shoot Shoot sends us all out in the crisp Leeds night air more than happy.

The band all look more than happy themselves up there too. Very tight, very slick. New man Rob De Luca solid enough on the bass. Paul Raymond has the occasional foray out from behind the keys to remind us how essential he is to the sound. I’d never really realised before tonight how hard Andy Parker works behind the kit thumping the tubs with real power. Vinnie Moore is effortless without being needlessly flashy.  And Mr Mogg – looking cool, sounding smooth and very powerful. On this form it’s hard to think of anyone you’d rather see or anyone who could outdo them.

Phil’s entertaining between song interludes very funny too. A selection being Andy Parker’s birthday, Vinnie’s shoes off eBay, where he went for lunch and stating the obvious: “this is the title track from Lights Out……………..it’s called Lights Out.

First rate indeed. And after Nazareth the preceding evening it’s been a fine “rock ‘n’n roll” weekend.

Oh – set list. I think it was (E&OE) something like this:

Let it Roll
Fight Night
Wonderland
I’m a Loser
This Kids
Saving Me
Burn Your House Down
Only You Can Rock Me
Love to Love
Venus
Too Hot to Handle
Lights Out
Rock Bottom
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Doctor Doctor
Shoot Shoot