The ELO Experience

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Date/Fri 06 October, 2006
Reviewed by/Denis Hill

I found the prospect of seeing and hearing one of my all-time favourite bands tributed on the Plinston stage both exciting and a little worrying. When you are a serious devotee of the real thing, the fear is that any imitation is bound to disappoint and even hearing a promising sound-check in the sterile atmosphere of an empty main hall was not much to go by.

Happily, it took only one number to put my mind at rest as the band opened with ‘Shine a Little Love’ – a real belter of a start with keyboards man Andy rising to the considerable challenge. Even better was to follow with ‘Confusion’ showing off Andy’s spot-on lead vocals.

Next up, the E.L.O. trademark ‘Horace Wimp’ was so faithful to the original, I could almost taste it.

Hardly believing, I turned away from the stage for part of the iconic ‘Telephone Line’, just to check the authenticity of the sound I was hearing. Yep, it really was that good and as the line “living in a kind of twilight” rang out, I was transported back to those magical days of the 1970’s.

‘Evil Woman’ and the quite superb ‘Don’t Walk Away’, with its difficult vocals expertly handled, was followed by ‘Wild West Hero’ from the classic Out of The Blue double album. This was turning into a real ‘tour de force’ by the boys from Hull.

More delights followed, reminding us how far ahead of their musical time the Electric Light Orchestra really were. ‘Showdown’ (I think I have it on an album called On The Third Day) was especially memorable for its solo guitar cameo and ‘Last Train to London’ confirmed it was “one of those nights”.

Living Thing closed the first momentous set and unlike the lyric, we were certainly not “taking a dive”.

Compliments abounded during the break with much of the assembled throng gobsmacked by the sheer accuracy and presence of Rockaria – we really were witnessing something special.

The second set began with perhaps my favourite E.L.O. track ‘Twilight’ and the standard was maintained through ‘All Over the World’ and ‘Sweet Talkin’ Woman’. ‘Tightrope’, ‘Calling America’ and ‘Turn to Stone’ came and went faultlessly with many of the audience up on their feet dancing.

I did wonder how this band would tackle the technical challenges of ‘Rockaria’ and ‘Mr Blue Sky’, but I needn’t have worried as both, but the latter in particular was of a quality nothing short of sublime.

‘Hold on Tight’, the ubiquitous’ Roll Over Beethoven’ and ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ climaxed a wonderful evening which it was a privilege to witness.

For some minutes after the lights went up, the crowd was still chanting “Horace! Horace!”, but fair’s fair – the band had to stop somewhere.

Come back soon Rockaria, who were:

Andy Brown
- Lead Vocals
- Rhythm Guitar

Andy Piper
- Keyboards
- Special Effects
- Vocals

Pete Allison
- Base Guitar
- Vocals

Dave Wilkinson
- Lead Guitar
- Vocals

Tony Lawson
- Drums & Percussion