Rock royalty came to Tenbury Wells over the weekend when Quill, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bev Bevan behind the drum kit, treated the sold out crowd to an electrifying performance at the Regal Theatre. Dating back to the 1930’s, the Regal Theatre underwent a major restoration and repair back in 2011 that saw many original features reinstated. It now serves as the towns principal entertainment venue offering a wide and varied programme for the local community. It offers excellent sound quality and a real feeling of warmth and intimacy, making it a wonderful place to enjoy live music.
Still led by vocalist Joy Strachan-Brain, Quill have been delighting audiences for more than half a century and yet this was their first ever time in Tenbury Wells. Given the reaction they received tonight, it surely won’t be their last. Joy, Bev and the rest of the band delivered a show that took in some of Quill’s own material, alongside their own twist on some well known rock and pop classics. And they also highlighted several songs by bands that originated here in the Midlands, including some of those Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne hit singles that Bev was very much a part of back in the 60’s and 70’s.
The first half began with ELO’s debut single ‘10538 Overture’, which set the scene for the next couple of hours, and was followed by Slade’s underrated ballad ‘How Does It Feel?. Moving from his drum kit to the front of the stage, Bev reflected on his time in Black Sabbath, his life-long friendship with Tony Iommi and attending the Back to the Beginning swansong last year. This was the introduction for a heartfelt version of ‘Changes’, with Quill really doing justice to the Sabbath classic. Abby Brant (keyboards) took over on lead vocals for Blind Faith’s ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’, and the rest of the first set also included a lively version of ‘The Whole of the Moon’ and Steve Earle’s powerful country rock anthem ‘Copperhead Road’, the latter of which saw bassist Phil Tree on vocals.
Quill’s membership has changed many times over the decades, but violinist Kate McWilliam has been alongside Joy for the past thirty years and the pair combined brilliantly on the Celtic folk ‘Jig-a-Jig’ that kicked off the second half. Returning to the front of the stage, Bev reminisced about his early years with Denny Laine & the Diplomats, before Denny went on to join the Moody Blues in 1964. ‘Go Now’, sung by Abby, then followed and was yet another reminder of how many great musicians originated from the Midlands. ‘Say It Ain’t So Joe’ was sung as a duet between Joy and guitarist Lee Evans and ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ saw yet more wonderful back and forth from Joy and Kate. ‘Blackberry Way’ prompted the nights first audience sing-a-long and a raucous ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ closed out the main set.
Of course, there was an encore and it was back to Bev’s years with the legendary ELO for ‘Mr. Blue Sky’. This included a nice moment when the rear screen displayed the names of the ELO and ELO part 2 members who are sadly no longer with us. There was still time for one last song, with Joy encouraging the crowd to stay standing for the instantly recognisable ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’. Fifty four years and counting, Quill are still proving to be an irresistible live attraction.
For more on Quill, including upcoming gigs and merchandise, head over to https://www.quilluk.com
Set list:-
10538 Overture
How Does It Feel?
Changes
Winter Rain
Can’t Find My Way Home
Ordinary World
You’ve Got Your Troubles
The Whole of the Moon
Copperhead Road
Jig-a-Jig
California Man
Go Now
Riding Rainbows
Say It Ain’t So Joe
The Devil Went Down to Georgia
Blackberry Way
Whiskey in the Jar
Mr. Blue Sky
Don’t Bring Me Down
