Black Star Riders Delivering High Energy Rock “N’ Roll – Gig Review Rock City Nottingham
Nottingham’s Rock City Is the second venue to host Black Star Riders whilst on their ten year anniversary tour. The band are playing 12 gigs across the UK during the Month of February. During the show, frontman Ricky Warwick thanked the fans of Nottingham, who had ventured out on a Monday night, for the 10 years of their support. Ricky claimed with the ongoing support they would be around for another anniversary tour in 10 years time to which the crowd raised their hands and cheered in agreement.
Tonight, was the first time the Rock City crowd will have seen Sam Wood appearing with Black Star Riders. His earlier trip to the city was with the band Wayward Sons where he played in the Rescue rooms , next door to Rock City. Ricky Warwick joked as he introduced Sam to the audience, explaining in sporting terms that Sam was a new signing for the band who had a huge transfer fee!
Seven songs into the set Black Star Riders are joined on stage by American guitarist Scott Gorham. As the Thin Lizzy guitarist walked onto the stage, he was met with a cheer that lifted the Rock City roof. The band, now with 3 guitars on stage played ‘All Hell Breaks Loose’ giving Scott the opportunity to demonstrate his mastery of the strings performing one of his many solo/instrumentals of the night.
Dressed in black and shadowed from the lights on the left-hand side of the stage made it difficult for the fans to see bassist Robbie Crane. Robbie did venture forward into the lights to supply backing vocals on many of the songs. During the intro to The Osmond’s ‘Crazy Horses’ Jimmy Degrasso pounded away at his drum kit whilst Robbie Crane took the lead vocally which allowed Ricky Warwick to step out from behind the microphone and use the whole of the stage giving him chance to enjoy some interaction with the packed floor in front of him.
Ricky kept his tech support busy with a change of guitar between almost every song. At the end of ‘Soldiertown’ Ricky held his guitar, one handed, high in the air to salute the crowd who have shown their support. The Thin Lizzy cover of ‘Don’t Believe A Word’ was the only song in the set that Ricky didn’t have an instrument in his hands. Instead, he held the mic and stand in his hands as he danced around the stage. During the songs instrumental, Ricky could be seen towards the back of the stage punching the air to the beat of the drums.
Racing to beat the 11pm curfew the band went straight into the final song which was ‘Finest Hour’. The stage lights that had previously shone green and white during ‘Soldier Town’ or red during ‘Before The War’ were now cascading white light out into the crowd, allowing the band to see packed floor dancing, clapping, and enjoying the last few moments of the show.
Black Star Riders put on a brilliant show in Nottingham with their great sounding rock ‘n’ roll tracks and the energy they bring. They really had the crowd buzzing with excitement and judging by the number of cheers and audience participation I think the fans in Rock City had a great night. If Black Star Riders are playing near you id highly recommend getting a ticket if you can.
Black Star Riders Set List
Black Star Riders performed an impressive 20 song set tonight in front of the Nottingham audience. Selections were made from 5 of their studio albums along with a couple of classic Thin Lizzy tracks which had the fans of Black Star Riders singing and dancing.
Pay Dirt – Wrong Side Of Paradise
Another State of Grace – Another State Of Grace
Better Than Saturday Night – Wrong Side Of Paradise
When The Night Comes In – Heavy Fire
Riding Out The Storm – Wrong Side Of Paradise
Wrong Side Of Paradise – Wrong Side Of Paradise
Crazy Horses – Wrong Side Of paradise
All Hell Breaks Loose – All Hell Breaks Loose
Bloodshot – All Hell Breaks Loose
Soldierstown – The Killer Instinct
Don’t Believe A Word – Thin Lizzy Cover
Blindsided – The Killer Instinct
The Killer Instinct – The Killer Instinct
Before The War – All Hell Breaks Loose
Testify Or Say Goodbye – Heavy Fire
Tonight The Moonlight – Another State Of Grace
Kingdom Of The Lost – All Hell Breaks Loose
Bound For Glory – All Hell Breaks Loose
Jailbreak – Thin Lizzy Cover
Finest Hour – The Killer Instinct
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https://www.blackstarriders.com
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Black Star Riders Discography
2013 – All Hell Breaks Loose
2015 – The Killer Instinct
2017 – Heavy Fire
2018 – Another State of Grace
2023 – Wrong Side of Paradise
Tour dates are below:
Saturday 11th February Belfast, Limelight
Monday 13th February Nottingham, Rock City
Wednesday 15th February Norwich, UEA
Thursday 16th February Ipswich, Corn Exchange
Friday 17th February Manchester, O2 Ritz
Saturday 18th February Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
Sunday 19th February Leeds, O2 Academy
Tuesday 21st February Cardiff, Tramshed
Wednesday 22nd February Bristol, O2 Academy
Thursday 23rd February Glasgow, SWG3
Friday 24th February Newcastle, O2 City Hall
Sunday 26th February London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Black Star Riders live at Rock City gig review. @ Rock News.
