On my previous visits to see Mr. Catley under the Magnum banner it’s always been the support band that has made me part with my hard earned pennies (Dirty White Boy and The Quest respectively.)

The same how ever can not be said for tonight’s support UXL who consist of three Tierney brothers and Dan Clark and the band battled against a poor sound and came across like the unwanted offspring of an unholy union between Simple Minds, Joy Division and The Smiths. Definitely a case of the wrong band on the wrong tour, the style being politely received by the sparse audience, however the older members of the audience were distinctly under whelmed. On a more positive note my young nephew who was attending his first ever concert was so impressed he bought the T-Shirt!!

Magnum however were a completely different kettle of fish...

With Mark Stanway taking to a darkened stage alone to play the intro to “When We Were Younger”, the opening track of the bands latest album “Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow”, the remainder of the quintet drifted onto stage as the track continued to build. And when Bob Catley took centre stage he immediately took the centre of attention, looking more and more like Gandalf The Grey, replete with even more strange hand movements than ever before. For ninety minutes he led the band through a set mixing Magnum classics coupled with five tracks from the aforementioned “Princess Alice And The Broken Arrow”. Although perhaps after all of these years senilty, or real ale are finally setting in as, after “Backstreet Kids” Mr. Cately got himself and the band confused by introducing the next track as “Like Brothers We Stand” when in fact it was “Out Of The Shadows” ... still he can be forgiven that.

Only being a passing fan of Magnum I was surprised at the lack of “hits” (well more widely known tracks) like “Just Like An Arrow”, “Lonely Night”, “Start Talking Love” and “Days Of No Trust” which were all conspicuous by their absence. That said the set was lapped up by the attentive crowd, and by my fellow members of staff, who are clearly bigger fans of the band than I. However I can happily state the band were thoroughly professional throughout. Personal highlights were to be found throughout the set and, in no particular order, “How Far Jerusalem”, “When We Were Younger”, “Vigilante”, “Kingdom Of Madness” and “Dragons Are Real”, all of which were superlative

In fact the set flowed really well and passed quickly, the only track failing to really work being “We All Run” from 2004’s “Brand New Morning” which stuck out like a sore thumb thanks to not really having a “vintage” Magnum feel unlike the new album (and the tracks from that aired tonight) has in spades and therefore fitted seamlessly into the set.

Tony Clarkin played up a storm all night and Thunder drummer Harry James, along with Bass player Al Barrow, provided the musical backbone. Mark Stanway, despite looking as if his wig might fall off at any minute, provided the musical counterpoint along with the samples that are large part of the Magnum live sound. Overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable gig and great introduction for my nephew to rock music. Magnum even….wait for it… used pyro!!!

Dougie & Steve Cummings