Grand Slam are always going to be the band Phil Lynott formed after Thin Lizzy, so we may as well start there. When they play “Nineteen”, they are exactly the hard rock band with a tough edge that you would expect them to be. Yet it is on “Gone Are The Days”, from their 2019 debut “Hit The Ground”, that the ghost of Phil and the unmistakable spirit of Lizzy feel most prevalent.
“Dedication”, of course, underlines the genius of the man, while the chugging “Spitfire” is another of those songs where war looms large. “Military Man”, subsequently recorded by Gary Moore with Lynott, takes us back to another chapter of that history.
For all those connections, Mike Dyer is very much his own frontman. His background on the West End stage shows in his theatrical presence, but the way he delivers “Crazy” proves it is simply a superb rock song, sung by a bloke who knows exactly how to command a stage.
This incarnation of Grand Slam does justice to the past while looking to the future, and that matters. Dyer explains that “Sisters Of Mercy” was the first song Laurence Archer sent him, and its slow build into something epic is a reminder of the depth here. Then comes “Whiskey In The Jar”. You may have heard it.
Hearing all this, for all the excellent work Grand Slam do, you still find yourself wanting to go home and listen to Phil Lynott. Perhaps that is part of the point.
On 10 December 2022, Magnum played a Christmas show at this very venue. That gig was immortalised on a live recording, but its significance became far greater: it was the last show the band played with Tony Clarkin before his tragic death in January 2024.
They returned here in January 2025 to commemorate the great man. Now, with Brendon Riley, Tony’s former guitar tech, taking his place on stage, Magnum are back on tour, and the love this packed room has for them is palpable as “Days Of No Trust” begins.
Strip away everything else, though, and you are left with tremendous songs.
“Lost On The Road To Eternity” is the key to it. Bob Catley, a man who dances like no other man in the history of the world, commands everyone to “just enjoy yourself”. He is almost conducting his flock, and there is no shortage of willing followers.
Rick Benton’s ominous keys usher in “Wild Swan”, an effortless epic, while “When We Were Younger” gains an extra poignancy from the old photographs on the screen behind them. There is still a sense of fun about it, too. The memories bring smiles as well as reflection.
“Run Into The Shadows” is the only song tonight from “Here Comes The Rain”, the album released in the week of Tony’s death. Dedicated to him, it offers a fitting explanation of his unique genius. These songs could be grand, intricate and full of atmosphere, yet they always knew where the chorus was.
There is a little theatricality as a monster appears on the stage to introduce “How Far Jerusalem”, but the fists soon go up in the air. It remains every bit as magnificent as ever. “Soldier Of The Line” has recently returned to the set and is most welcome, before “The Tall Ships” brings a change of pace. Catley, who has just celebrated his 79th birthday, takes a seat while Benton’s piano tinkles behind him.
Then things lift again. If you wanted one song to play somebody to explain what Magnum do, “On A Storyteller’s Night” would have a very strong claim. The storytelling, the melody, the drama: it is all there.
“Midnight (You Won’t Be Sleeping)” is another welcome recent return, and the saxophone solo is a surprise, but a glorious one. “All England’s Eyes” and “Vigilante” follow as a one-two punch of the very best kind. The former is possibly their best song. The latter might be their catchiest. You could argue about both all night, which says plenty about the catalogue.
“Kingdom Of Madness” ends the main set, its heavy riff slashing out from the stage. It is a reminder that Magnum can be considerably heavier than people give them credit for.
The epic, power-tinged “Sacred Hour” begins the encore, before “When The World Comes Down” feels almost like the credits rolling at the end of a film. That final promise of dreams coming true gives you pause. Think about how long this band has been going, and all they have achieved. Perhaps those dreams really have come true.
But as Catley introduces the band at the end, as he always does, he makes it clear that the story is far from over. He talks about seeing everyone next year, with good things coming. It will be interesting to see what the future holds.
Magnum’s past is as good as anyone’s, and these songs prove it. Tonight, they sound fresh, played with an enjoyment that reaches every corner of the room. Magnum sound anything but a nostalgia act.
