First up tonight is Derek Forbes & The Dark. Derek was an integral part in the formation of Simple Minds and was part of the band from 1978 to 85 and again 1995 to 98. Although Derek has solo albums, he shared a set that comprised of songs that he was part of during the formative Mind`s years. This kicked off with `Waterfront` from the breakthrough `Sparkle in the Rain` album. Songs from 1979 to 1982 were shared with `Celebrate`, the hypnotic `Love Song`, `Changeling`, `I Travel`, `New Gold Dream`, and favourite of mine `The American`. This forty five minute set closed out with the instrumental `Theme For Great Cities`. I`m sure it was drummer Tony Soave and Brian McNeill on keyboards / synth who made up the Dark and really fleshed out these tracks. I have to say the set really hit the spot and was well received by this attentive audience.
Spear of Destiny are led by founding member and lead vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter Kirk Brandon, in an ever-changing line-up. Tonight`s crew I`m sure were Craig Adams on bass (Mission / Sisters of Mercy), Adrian Portas on guitar (New Model Army / Sex Gang Children), Phil Martini on drums (Jim Jones / Wayward Sons), Steve Allan Jones on keyboards and Clive Osborn on Sax.
The stunning `Rocket Ship` from The World Service album kicks us off followed quickly by the thumping `Strangers in Our Town`, mesmerising `The Wheel` and pounding `Embassy Song` before the guys come up for air.
The nigh on dystopian `Grapes of Wrath` follows with the reflective `Pilgrim`, along with numbers that are less well known to me such as `The Price`, `Solution`, slow burn `Aria` and brooding `Junkman`.
A song from last year`s `Ghost Population` album is shared with `The Melancholy Of Walter Sickert` inspired by paintings Kirk saw at an exhibition of the German-born British painter and printmaker, whom several researchers and theorists suspected to have been the London-based serial killer Jack the Ripper.
We enjoy some pretty intense tracks with `Flying Scotsman` which ends with a refrain from `The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond`, The Hop, a Theatre of Hate cover, and almost spiritual `Omen of the Times`.
The spellbinding `Never Take Me Alive` has this packed crowd waving arms and singing along before the tubthumping `Land of Shame` and `Soldier Soldier` see the set out. It`s not long before the band are cheered back to the stage and head into the anthemic `Radio Radio`, the almost tribal Rainmaker before sending us home with a final call to arms with `Liberator`.
It`s a tribute to Kirk that he`s on the latter part of a seventeen date trek of the UK having spent six weeks touring the United States with The Chameleons and The Mission just weeks after major surgery which saved his life. I must admit just watching him stalk the stage tonight for ninety minutes had me flagging. This was the second time I saw Spear this year and having thought the last time was a masterclass in commanding an audience, tonight was even better.
Rest easy Mr Brandon and let`s catch up again in the New Year.
ALL PHOTOS: RICH WARD
