The Hollies

Though the line-up is particularly different to the one first appearing in 1962 (only Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliot remain, and even they were not in the very first incarnation) no one here cares as the place is pretty packed for The Hollies. Myself, only knowing the odd number from the early days, brought along a member of the previous generation (my Dad) for added information.

Behind all the snazzy lighting gear and over the top introductory build ups, The Hollies are a pretty tight band. Having grown in number over the years from four members to six, this gives a full sound, complimented highly by the years of musical experience between the group.



Some well-known tracks first to warm the crowd up; ‘Jennifer Eccles’ and ‘Just One Look’ bode well, and the newer tracks are well received (‘Emotions’, ‘The Baby’) despite reports that the Hollies stuff became more and more unpopular the further into their career.

The songs from new album ‘Staying Power’ are very unlike the old pop songs that were released in their hey day; a lot more like eighty’s ballads. Singer Pete Howarth, who has been with the band since 2004, has a good voice on him but years of working with Cliff Richards has influenced him a lot, with similar vocals and out-stretched arm gestures.

Many of the old tunes have been re-worked for this tour, with ‘We’re Through’ and ‘On A Carousel’ getting a jazzier kick up the rear. A cover of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Sandy’ is also a highlight, played mainly acoustically by Howarth with a little accompaniment by Ian Parker on the keyboard.



For the second of two hour-long sets (Tony Hicks explains that they only used to do fifteen minute live shows in the past) the band have changed attire; namely Howarth into a cowboy style hat (which he throws off like a frisbee after starting tune ‘Curly Billy’.

We are treated to a medley featuring Hicks, Steve Lauri (the guitarist since 2004) and bassist Ray Stiles, formally of MUD. Lauri provides some swell vocals over the harmonies of Hick and Stiles to ‘Listen To Me’ and ‘Hey Willy’, followed by ‘Gasoline Alley Bred’. ‘Hey Willy’, as mentioned by Howarth, has never been played live before this tour (could it be the name perhaps?!).



Bobby Elliott, looking swish now that he has changed from his ska influenced shirt and hat (Howarth jokes that Suggs is on his way) to a gaudy pink and black patterned shirt, well hidden usually behind the drum kit), takes a stroll to the front of the stage to announced Howarth and his solo acoustic rendition of a track already played by the band this evening, ‘Here I Go Again’; slowing it right down and transforming it from snappy pop tune to a slow-paced love song.

Lauri and Howarth are both maraca-shaking for ‘Stop Stop Stop’, and Stiles journey to the front again to sing his previous band’s classic ‘Tiger Feet’ gets the front of the normally seated venue up and dancing.



Howarth introduces Hick’s beginning to ‘The Air That I Breathe’ as the one of the finest guitar introductions to a song ever; Hick’s guitar playing has been effortlessly good all night.

Most of the crowd (i.e. those that can still) stand to applaud the aging popsters, before they state that they cannot leave without playing “The Hollies Anthem”, ‘He Ain’t Heavy’. A bit of ‘Let Love Pass’ is sang (with vocals only) by Howarth, Stiles, Hicks and Laurie, all sharing the same microphone, as Elliott stands behind them singing along in the background. This leads to another standing ovation from the appreciative audience.

FUTURE GIGS

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