WILCO JOHNSON BAND + GLENN TILBROOK – DE LA WARR PAVILION, BEXHILL-ON-SEA 02.03.19
Tonights trip was a 35 miles to the East of the county from Brighton to the iconic De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-On-Sea. The weather was getting worse all evening throughout my journey. I got blown along the seafront with the sheer force of the wind on arrival, on the short walk from where I had parked the car.
On the menu tonight two great guitarists in their own right, so I had been looking forward to this gig all week.
The first up tonight was Glenn Tilbrook. Glenn was the lead singer and guitarist of Squeeze, who were formed in the mid-1970’s. They broke through at the tail end of the New Wave era. Glenn wrote the melodies behind the Squeeze songs, while his writing partner, Chris Difford, wrote the lyrics. In addition to his songwriting skills, Tilbrook is respected both as a singer and an accomplished guitarist.
The title of Glenn Tilbrook’s latest album, on sale tonight is ‘Happy Ending’. He’s more than earned his place at pop’s top table, as one of our most cherished singers, guitarists and songwriters, not to mention an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer. But more than 40 years after he first answered an advert placed by Chris Difford, looking for like-minded sorts to form the band, that became the much-loved evergreen Squeeze, an ending is nowhere in sight and I say thank goodness.
Away from the constant and steady stream of fine music, Ivor Novello, Nordoff Robbins, Mojo and PPL awards, landmark plaques commemorating his formative Squeeze years in Greenwich, Glenn is also active in the charity ‘Love Hope Strength’, set up by his friend Mike Peters of The Alarm. Mike was awarded an MBE on Thursday 21st February in recognition of his services to charity. Love Hope Strength Foundation raises money to set up cancer units in countries in need, and works tirelessly on raising awareness on bone marrow donation. His work with the charity has included record-breaking treks up mounts Everest, Fuji and Kilimanjaro, which should come as no surprise to anyone already in thrall to the man.
Tonight’s performance absolutely kicked off as most of Glenn’s solo performances, no set list and “lets play what the audience like and want”. There was a real selection of brilliant songs, one after the other, and here’s what we were treated to:
‘Take Me I’m Yours’ (Squeeze song), ‘No Place Like Home’, ‘Schadenfreude’, ‘Little Ships’, ‘Up The Junction’ (Squeeze song), ‘Untouchable’, ‘(There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me’ (Sandie Shaw cover), ‘Happy Days’ (Squeeze song), ‘Slap And Tickle’ (Squeeze song), ‘0-60’, ‘Tempted’ (Squeeze song), ‘Oh Well’ (Fleetwood Mac cover), ‘Is That Love’ (Squeeze song), ‘Chat Line Larry’, ‘Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)’ (Squeeze song).
We were also informed about some of the history and background to a few of the songs and Glenn has a great sense of humour that flowed right through his set. Not only is he a great singer, but boy he can really play the guitar. The first half was played on an acoustic guitar and the later songs with an electric. What a great start to the evening.
After Glenn’s set I went out and purchased his ‘Glenn Tilbrook’s against UK Poverty and Hunger’ CD EP and met the man himself, where he signed my copy. A great artist and I would recommend seeing him if you get the chance. Wilko is also a great supporter of The Trussell Trust charity and tweeted to all the fans earlier to support this great cause – See Here.
There is a local food bank in Brighton that is located at St Cuthmans Church, Whitehawk Way, Whitehawk, Brighton, BN2 5HE. Further information HERE.
Right then, the main act of the night. Wilko Johnson was Born in Canvey Island, Essex, Johnson played in several local groups, before attending University in Newcastle. After graduating, he travelled to India, before returning to Essex to play with the Pigboy Charlie Band. This band evolved into Dr. Feelgood one of the forefront bands of the 1970’s pub rock scene. In 1974, Dr. Feelgood signed their first record deal.
Johnson developed his own image, coupling jerky movements on stage, which some people called the “duck walk” with a choppy guitar style, occasionally raising his guitar to his shoulder like a gun. He achieved his unique playing style by not using a pick but instead relying on finger-style. This enabled him to play rhythm guitar and riffs or solos at the same time creating a highly percussive guitar sound. His Bo Diddley-influenced style formed the essential driving force behind Dr. Feelgood during their initial years, including the band’s first four albums, ‘Down by the Jetty’, ‘Malpractice’, ‘Stupidity’ and ‘Sneakin’ Suspicion’, all released between 1975 and 1977.
As a real Dr Feelgood fan, (Read my January 2019 gig review HERE) I was really excited to see this band tonight and I wasn’t disappointed. The Wilko Johnson Band consist of Wilko Johnson (guitar/vocals), Norman Watt-Roy (bass) and Dylan Howe (drums/percussion).
From the very first note of ‘That’s The Way I Love You’, I knew we were all going to witness something special. Straight away Wilko was rushing forward in the way he did when I first saw him in Dr Feelgood and it sent goosebumps tingling down my neck. Boy can he play that guitar. Norman Watt-Roy is also amazing on that bass guitar and Dylan providing the fast paced beat, culminating in a really tight powerful band. Well, the first song set the standard. What next? ‘If You Want Me You Got Me’. The crowd around me were all moving to the music and some people to my right were standing up in the stalls and dancing already.
There were a lot of die hard Dr Feelgood fans in the audience and a fair number wearing their T-shirts, so it wasn’t long before we got the first Dr Feelgood song ‘Going Back Home’. There was a great cheer and the crowd were really getting into it. Wilko is a fantastic guitarist and performer. Paul Weller rates him in the top guitarists of all time and I can see why.
Next up was ‘Dr Dupree’, which I hadn’t heard before. Then ‘Marijuana’, which is from the new ‘Blow Your Mind’ album released in 2018. It wasn’t long until the first notes that seminal Dr Feelgood song ‘Roxette’ flew across the De La Warr and shouts of pure delight came from the crowd. What a performance these 3 guys were putting on for us tonight. Song after brilliant song came one after another, some I knew and some I didn’t but I can tell you this. Now I have the set list I am going to get them all.
Next highlight for me was ‘Everybody’s Carrying A Gun’, This is a song that Wilko performed on a tour with Roger Daltrey. Johnson and Daltrey decided to work together after meeting when seated next to each other at an awards ceremony in 2010 and quickly struck up a friendship. Johnson was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2013, but was well enough to press ahead with the collaboration when The Who finished their world tour. ‘Going Back Home’ was recorded in November 2013. According to Johnson, “Roger jumped up and said, ‘Let’s do it,”. He knew this lovely little studio called Yellow Fish in Uckfield. Against the odds Johnson survived the cancer and that is another entire story. This is one of the tracks from the collaboration.
Next up two more Dr Feelgood favourites, which saw the crowd cheering and whistling ‘Back In The Night’ and ‘She Does It Right’ Then off they went to a rapturous crowd calling for their return.
The encore was ‘Bye Bye Johnny’, When Wilko went on what we all thought was his farewell tour, this song literally reduced the fans to tears at the end of the shows but now it has a different meaning. See you again soon The Wilko Johnson Band, you rocked and it was awesome.
The full set list reads: ‘That’s The Way I Love You’, ‘If You Want Me, You Got Me’, ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Going Back Home’ (Dr Feelgood song), ‘Dr Dupree’, ‘Marijuana’, ‘Letting The Night Go By’, ‘Roxette’ (Dr Feelgood song), ‘Keep on Loving You’, ‘I Love The Way You Do’, ‘When I’m Gone’, ‘Everybody’s Carrying A Gun’, ‘Back In The Night’ (Dr Feelgood song), ‘She Does It Right’ (Dr Feelgood song), (encore) ‘Bye Bye Johnny’ (Chuck Berry song).
For further information on Wilko Johnson, check out the following website / social media links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
For further information on Glenn Tilbrook, check out the following website / social media links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube Channel
