in
Manchester, UK - 20 February 2005

Glitz Blitz and 70's Hitz UK Tour 
with
SAILOR
The Rubettes
featuring Alan Williams
Andy Scott's
Sweet
February - May 2005

Location: Palace Theatre
Bands: SAILOR
, The Rubettes featuring Alan Williams, Andy Scott's The Sweet

Photos by: Malcolm Knowles, Linda Welch

Click to enlarge!



Peter


Phil, Rob and Peter during "La Cumbia"


Rob and Phil at the Nickelodeon


Rob and Phil at the Nickelodeon


Grant and Peter during "Girls Girls Girls"


The end of the show


The songs that SAILOR played in Manchester:

A Glass Of Champagne
La Cumbia
The Old Nickelodeon Sound
Karma Chameleon
Latino Medley
Sailor's Hornpipe
The Full Monty
Girls, Girls, Girls
Champagne Reprise


SAILOR fans in Manchester united! - A concert review by Malcolm Knowles:

Having renewed acquaintances with other SAILOR fans on the front row, Eileen and I were ready for our first gig of the long awaited UK tour.
We knew the band would only play for about 35 minutes but the question was would they make the best of that time? Helped a bit by the domination of SAILOR fans on the front row, it did not take long to get us cheering and singing along. Well done to Linda for wearing her full SAILOR gear and doing us all proud. When Phil made his remark about the front row being like the Rocky Horror Show (hopefully a reference to dressing up for a concert rather than meaning we looked scary) I could only feel guilty that I was not wearing the usual captain’s hat, etc. Later on the tour perhaps?
After the opening "A Glass Of Champagne", "La Cumbia", "The Old Nickelodeon Sound" (personal favourite!!), "Karma Chameleon" and "Latino Medley" there was a worrying moment when the music struck up for the "Full Monty" just 20 minutes or so into the set. We expecting to see them finish with the "Full Monty" and began to think that the anticipated 35 minutes would be even shorter. Thankfully it was a false alarm with "Girls Girls Girls" and "Champagne (reprise)" still there to complete the set. So there it was, marvellous of course.
In truth, I feel they could probably have done even better. Whilst the audience seemed to rise to humour of the "Full Monty" and sung gently along with "Karma Chameleon", this set was far too short to play covers. Whilst the set provides a professional warm up for the other bands, it does not do SAILOR the justice they deserve in their own right. UK audiences are different from those in other countries and will generally regard bands who perform covers as bands who have insufficient material of their own. This is clearly not true of SAILOR who do have a huge back catalogue of great stuff to call upon. Personally, I would like to have seen them open with the amazing "Sailor" (their trademark track) and to include "Josephine Baker", "Stiletto Heels", "Traffic Jam", "One Drink Too Many" as well as "Girls Girls Girls" and "The Old Nickelodeon Sound" and then finish on a high with "A Glass Of Champagne". This is all up beat stuff which, even if unfamiliar to some, I am sure would gain the admiration of UK audiences old and new. Let’s face it, those are the tracks which made most of us fall in love with the band in the first place and I see no reason they should not capture the imagination of a whole new generation today. Plus, it would create a far stronger demand for "Buried Treasure" and probably even help encourage the release of the back catalogue. Go on boys, be brave and play a proper SAILOR set – there’s nothing to lose.
However, all this is just a personal viewpoint. It was still lovely to see the band again and I’ll certainly be attending a few more dates before the tour ends.
And finally…to anyone who still hasn’t bought a ticket for Glitz, Blitz and 70s Hitz do so now. There are very few bills which will give you so much value for your money.
Copyright by Malcolm Knowles, 22 February 2005


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