Quireboys, Cutting Out.

Esquires Bedford Lev 2 21st October 2006.

It is almost five years to the day since local favourites The QUIREBOYS graced the Level 2 stage and judging by the clamour and demand for tickets since Pete first announced the gig, I feel sure that it has been long overdue for their return.
The Quireboys are of course, part of Bedford's musical folklore and witnessing the venue literally bursting at the seams, there is certainly no chance of the legend diminishing.
At approximately 9.45pm in front of a hushed crowd, Bruce announced to everybody what they had all been waiting for. The introduction to the Quireboys is the catalyst for the party to begin. To a loud cacophony of shouts and cheers, the ladies and gentlemen of, shall we say, a more mature age, totally lose their inhibitions as Spike and the boys charge in with 'Man on the Loose'. After a couple more songs, the band are in their stride so much that Spike orders (what else?!) a JD and Coke from the bar and its then time for a golden oldie 'Tramps & Thieves'.
With the band on the verge of releasing a new album, tonight is an opportunity to give their local fans a chance to hear a few tracks from it, however Spike reassuringly admits that the album "will still be the same as the first one". If the newer songs instantly find favour with the crowd, probably the biggest cheer is saved and almost certainly reserved for the Quireboys' anthem 'Hey You'. The old top twenty single and the room erupts. It may have been nearly seventeen years when it graced the airwaves, but for the folks here tonight, it's just like it was yesterday.
Part of the appeal is the total showmanship of front man Spike, as well as a few amusing comments between songs, he makes the usually boring 'meet the band' time interesting and funny, although his Irish accent when introducing keyboardist Keith was probably ill-advised!
It becomes crystal clear that tonight is not so much a gig but a huge sing-a-long party between a jointly undefeatable spirit of band and crowd. The Quireboys come to the end of their set by performing their first hit single '7o'clock'. They play to a rousing finale and make their exit. Surely this can't be the finish, and of course, it's not as Bruce encourages everyone to shout for more, the boys re-appear for a four song encore, in all very nearly 90 minutes of top class entertainment.
One things for certain, there are going to be an awful lot of hangovers on Sunday morning as the floor is absolutely littered with broken plastic containers and bottles. Let's hope it's not another five years before the Quireboys play the Esquires stage again.

Prior to the main event, Esquires perennial 'Sunday Afternoon Sessions' stars CUTTING OUT performed a short set. This blues influenced ensemble managed to get everybody in great spirits and were the ideal support slot. For me, the uplifting harmonica playing of 'Smoothy' was a total joy.