Here we are almost three years to the day, in Birmingham again to get our Rod fix.
Anticipation is in the air, our hotel only 5 minutes walk from the venue is fully booked with like minded Rod fans (you don’t need to ask you just know!)
A short walk along the canal to the now ‘Utilita Arena’. The place is buzzing, the mix of Celtic green hoops, tartan and animal print make a bold statement about Sir himself and his eclectic fashion sense.
A rousing warm up set from Johnny Mac & the Faithful, who we first met at Bristol’s Ashton Gate in 2019. Johnny is now a firm favourite with Rod fans , many of whom now support him on his own road to success … including Rod who features on Johns latest album, “Midnight Glasgow Rodeo”, on two tracks, as he reminds us on a few occasions during his appearance, urging us to buy so he can at least get some coal for Christmas!! A lovely guy who deserves to be centre stage.
A quick rush to the bar … Mr Stewart arrives a good 5 minutes early and nearly catches us out at the bar! And we are straight in with “Addicted to Love” as a tribute to the lamented Robert Palmer, with the girls looking glam and slick, in echoes of the original music video. Two of the girls are outed by Rod during the show as being pregnant or “Up the duff” as he called it! … only Rod!!
We did get a few of Rods balls … but it was down to the girls to do the honours this time!
Rod was evidently on good form, filling the stage with his energy and commanding reactions of adoration from the audience with ease as he took us through renditions of The Faces “Oh La La”, Sam Cooke’s ““”Twistin’ the night away”, The Persuaders “Some Guys have all the luck”.
In memory of Christine McVie, he gave us a heartfelt , stripped back “I’d Rather go Blind”, a song she had covered in 1969 whilst in the band Chicken Shack before Fleetwood Mac.
Costume changes gave the Girls a chance to do their stuff and they entertained us with a “Hot stuff” and “Lady Marmalade” mix, there is a real feeling of cohesion with all of the band.
Amazing sax Solo from Jimmy Robert’s and the fantastic J’anna Jacoby who has been with Rod for over twenty years and plays mandolin on Maggie, took it to another level!
Sir Rod also paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with “Sailing” that turned into an impromptu torchlight reaction as the gathered crowd clapped and cheered.
“Rhythm of my heart” was dedicated to Ukraine and to President Zelenskyy, whom Rod said he would like to meet one day.
Rod wished the England football team good luck in the quarter final against France …… and I’m sure he meant it?!?
Rod has a big heart and you can feel that … he’s so generous to his fans, he seems to enjoy every show as much as we do… which is incredible!
Although widely reported of late that he’s going to pare down the big shows, he still gave us “Sexy” and a rejigged “Maggie” which had the crowd belting it out … yeah he lets you sing with him … a big part of the show is us!!
A craft perfected over 60 years, will still have us coming back for more … can’t wait to see what you do next Sir Rod,
And I’ll be there x
Review By Angela Rodda
Photos By Angela Rodda