QUIREBOYS,
with The Burning Crows.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2 Friday 14th December 2012.

Folks, this is rock 'n' roll! It is a cold, wet, Friday evening (although Spike sometimes thinks that it's Saturday!), but here inside Esquires we are in the company of Bedford's most salivated over band. Of course I'm referring to the one and only QUIREBOYS. Their nationwide tour is coming to an end, yesterday Norwich, tomorrow Sheffield with Leicester to follow. They finish on Monday at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire supporting Thin Lizzy. It has been a busy and exciting year with appearances at Download festival and a tour of South America amongst the highlights. There is also to be a new album next year, as yet untitled. The Quireboys showcase some of the songs tonight, one of which is "Too Much Of A Good Thing" which immediately finds favour. Think "Sympathy for the devil" combined with an AC/DC bass and some delightful "woo, hoo, hoo's".

Esquires is packed, naturally for our special visitors it is a sold out gig. The Christmas party spirit is in the air and one feels that there will be some sore heads and stiff limbs in the morning! The inimitable Spike is in superb form and announces "Thankyou for keeping rock 'n' roll alive". He adds that "many different people have been in The Quireboys over the years". In fact, tonight appears to be something of a reunion party as in the audience are former bandmates Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg. Spike speaks fondly of the former, his longtime songwriting colleague. In keeping with the flavour of the evening, even blues harp supremo Smoothy pops up on stage to join the band for a song.
The Quireboys continue to make mincemeat of all the relevant musical genre fads. It's certainly heartening to find a band sticking to their guns, regardless of fashion. It is a long set, no short cuts or short changing. Frontman Spike is very much 'Mr Entertainer' with audience rapport at every turn. His thoughtful introductions to classics such as "There She Goes Again", "Tramps and thieves", plus the perennial "Hey You" are simply lapped up. His continual shout out is a loud "Bedford give me a yee-ha!" and of course everyone does. Feeling a touch thirsty after all his exertions he throws out a request; "If anybody is at the bar I will have a drink, an alcohol free Strongbow"! Spike also has a little fun with keyboardist Keith Weir and guitarist Guy Griffin. He announces that the former "will buy everyone here a drink at The Ship!", while the latter is a homegrown local Bedford boy. A brilliant version of "Mona Lisa Smiles" finds guitarist Paul Guerin singled out for special praise. Spike is spot on when he says that "he was on fire". "Sweet Mary Ann" sees The Quireboys joined onstage by The Burning Crows vocalist Whippz, but it is Keith who excels. The classic "7 O'Clock" rounds off the evening in majestic style. The inevitable demands for an encore are answered by an emotionally charged "I Don't Love You Anymore" which seamlessly segues into a Stonesy "Fool To Cry". Spike also makes special mention of the bands' contribution to Biking For Bobby. They actively supported ex-Newcastle Utd footballer Robbie Elliott's 3500 mile cycle ride from Lisbon, Portugal to St James Park, Newcastle. Between the two destinations, Robbie took in all the towns and cites where the late football legend Sir Bobby Robson managed. As the band leave the main stage for the final time to loud cheers and applause, I pause and reflect. With overflowing confidence, a large following and a mighty back catalogue, The Quireboys truly epitomise classic British rock 'n' roll, something we should wallow in while we still can.

Support band tonight are THE BURNING CROWS, a quartet from Norwich who comprise Whippz (vocals, guitar), Lance Daniels (guitar), Will Lockett (bass) and Chris Chapman (drums). Their manager is Quireboys drummer Matt Goom. They champion eighties/nineties classic rock and although most of their songs are not strong enough to hold my absolute attention, I marvel at their energy, vitality and terrific stage presence. Ladies of a certain age would also be impressed with the bands' penchant for long flowing hair. They shift many copies of their "Never Had It So Good" EP and announce that their debut album will be released in spring 2013. Lance's guitar work on "The Devil May Care" is mesmeric, while Will has a waistcoat and a look that makes him a doppelganger for a young Francis Rossi. The chemistry between the bands is typified by Keith 'Quireboys' Weir's guest appearance on The Burning Crows' encore.