When Mike Rutherford launched a remodelled Mike & The Mechanics back in 2011 there was little indication it would develop into a fully-fledged second era for the band. But here we are at a packed out Symphony Hall some fourteen years later with the Mechanics still touring on a regular basis and new material in the works. Their ongoing success owes much to the chemistry between Rutherford and the two vocalists he chose to replace the two Paul’s (Young and Carrack); the energetic Canadian Tim ‘The Power’ Howar, and the always reliable and soulful Andrew Roachford.
A sprinkling of Genesis hits and a couple of newer songs aside, the majority of the show was a run through the Mechanics back catalogue jukebox of hits from the very first – 1985’s ‘Silent Running’ – through to their last genuine chart success by way of ‘Another Cup of Coffee’ and more recent material ‘Let me Fly’ and ‘Out of the Blue’. The mix of sincere ballads and slick pop rock sing-a-longs is lapped up by the sold out crowd at Symphony Hall. Rutherford remains an understated live performer, more than content to let the two vocalists share the limelight as he effortlessly switches between lead guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. The rest of the band are rounded out by Anothony Drennan on guitars and bass, Nic Collins on drums and the versatile Luke Juby on keys, who also provided the obligatory whistling on ‘Over my Shoulder’.
The second half began with the band switching to acoustic instruments for a well put together interlude that included ‘Invisible Touch’ and ‘Follow You, Follow Me’. The song with which the Mechanics will always be best remembered for, ‘The Living Years’, still retains a timeless quality and Roachford’s vocals are a more than capable substitute for the original. And yet curiously the point in the show that finally tempted the audience to their feet was neither a Genesis cover or Mechanics original, but rather Roachford’s pumped up 80’s hit ‘Cuddly Toy’ which went down a storm.
Thirty odd years since Rutherford put together the Mechanics to complement his day job, the band and its leader genuinely appear to be having a blast, despite him being in recovery from a broken hip suffered on the eve of the tour. ‘All I Need is a Miracle’ and ‘Word of Mouth’ extended into call and response sing-a-longs, the latter also highlighted by a solo section from each of the musicians. With a set that stretched to more than two hours, this proved to be a thoroughly entertaining show from a hugely talented band.
Set list:-
A Beggar on a Beach of Gold
Another Cup of Coffee
Get Up
Song for You Song for Me
Land of Confusion
Let Me Fly
East and West of the Sun
The Best Is Yet to Come
Silent Running
Nobody Knows
Invisible Touch
Out of the Blue
Everybody Gets a Second Chance
Follow You Follow Me
The Living Years
I Can’t Dance
Cuddly Toy
All I Need Is a Miracle
Encore:-
Over My Shoulder
Word of Mouth
Keyboard Solo / Firth of Fifth / Private Dancer / Superstition / Purple Haze / Drum Solo
Word of Mouth
(Reprise)
