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Mike And The Mechanics + Sadie And The Hot Heads

Venue: St George's Hall
Town: Bradford
Date: 12/03/14
Website: http://www.mikeandthemechanics.com
http://www.sadieandthehotheads.com

Twenty five years ago a relatively unknown band released the album "The Living Years." Although it is fair to say that although Mike Rutherford was well known through his Genesis music, the new band was a total change of musical direction for Mike. Perhaps frustrated within Genesis, he decided to branch out with this new band. Twenty five years on they are still going strong and sound as good as ever.

The title track of the first album has become one of the favourite songs of many music lovers and never fails to bring a tear to the eye, especially mine. The original version was sung by Paul Carrack and I doubted that the song would survive without his dulcet tones. As it happens the song goes on and is even better now using the vocal talents of Andrew Roachford. There is a new arrangement too which makes the song even more special.

The band is made up, as you would expect, of musicians of exceptional talent. The vocals are shared by Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar who is a bundle of energy and tenor. Andrew also leaps around like a thing possessed at times and has a smile that would light up the Yorkshire Moors on a dark December night. The pair of them harmonise superbly and obviously have a great working relationship. Mike Rutherford, who is now 64, remains one of the most unassuming of rock stars preferring to leave the limelight to Andrew and Tim both of whom accept it with relish. They really are quite remarkable singers.

The set comprises both old and new material, a few Genesis songs and a couple of Andrew Roachford's previous hits. They are all delivered with drive and panache with a level of stage presence that is very rare. Two hours of music just flew by. I have waited a long time to see this band and I was not disappointed. Quite superb!!!

The support band was Sadie and the Hotheads about whom I knew nothing. In fact when reading the ticket without my glasses on I thought it said Sadie and the Knobheads. I was therefore not sure what to expect. What we did get was a half hour set of very cleverly constructed material, sung brilliantly and matched equally by the skill of the band. Quirky and fresh are two words I would use to describe the bluesy, country feel to the music. One of the band looked like he would have appeared at the Winchester Club in TV's Minder series. Sadie sings a version of the BeeGees "Staying Alive" which is totally original and takes the song to a whole new level.

New Zealand born Sadie is Elizabeth Montgomerie, probably better known to most as Lady Cora Grantham from Downton Abbey. I spent a long time talking to her at the interval about her life, music, children, and her charity. Not Downton! She is a remarkable lady and one who is passionate about her music. A solo tour is planned for later in the year and I for one will be going. I absolutely loved them

Rory Stanbridge