A week or so later than originally planned, The Moody Blues’ John Lodge eventually played in front of his hometown audience for what was his first show here in Birmingham since 2019. And the bassist singer-songwriter took the crowd on a journey through his long career that saw a number of his signature songs performed in the first half, with the second set consisting of a full performance of the Moodies classic album from 1967, Days of Future Passed. Not only was John backed by an impressive band that included Moody Blues touring keyboard player Alan Hewitt, but he kept it in the family with son-in-law and Yes vocalist Jon Davison helping out with lead vocals on a number of songs that were originally sung by Justin Hayward.

After battling health problems in recent years, John received a warm welcome from the crowd, many of who had no doubt been part of his audience for many years, and led the band into ‘Steppin’ in a Slide Zone’. After ‘Talking out of Turn’, he fondly recalled meeting Ray Thomas on a bus a the age of 14, with the pair deciding to form a band, El Riot and the Rebels, who would go on to appear on the same bill as The Beatles at a gig in Tenbury Wells back in 1963. He then performed a tribute to Ray by way of the psychedelic infused ‘Legend of a Mind’. Jon Davison then joined in for ‘The Voice’, before they closed out the first half with two of John’s most notable songs, the lush orchestration of ‘Isn’t Life Strange’ and upbeat ‘I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)’, both of which were rewarded with a huge response.

After a short interval, the late Graeme Edge appeared on the rear screen to lead us into the second half, delivering one of his captivating soliloquies that begins Days of Future Passed. This landmark album was presented by John and his band by way of a very faithful rendition, complete with good use of background visuals depicting the course of the day. Jon Davison returned to deliver a wonderful ‘Tuesday Afternoon’ and the whole second half proved that, like all good concept albums, Days of Future Passed is best enjoyed when performed from start to finish. After another appearance from Graham to deliver his ‘Late Lament’, John led the musicians into a superb version of the timeless classic that is ‘Nights in White Satin’. Before they left the stage there was time for the rocking ‘Ride My See-Saw’ with all of the crowd now out of their seats. How much longer John Lodge will have the desire to keep on touring only he knows, but nights like this proved that the legacy of The Moody Blues remains in safe hands.

Setlist:-

Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
Talking Out of Turn
Legend of a Mind
The Voice
Gemini Dream
Isn’t Life Strange
I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)

The Day Begins: The Day Begins/Morning Glory
Dawn Is a Feeling
Another Morning
Peak Hour
Tuesday Afternoon
(Evening) Time to Get Away
The Sunset
Twilight Time
Late Lament
Nights in White Satin

Encore:-
Ride My See-Saw