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Reviews
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Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and theatre shows they’ve seen over the past couple of months at local venues
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FOODIES FESTIVAL, TATTON PARK, CHESHIRE
“The stage is ringed Foodies is not just for foodies – there’s so much more. Where to start? The Cake & Bake Theatre, Drinks Theatre, Chefs’ Theatre… I opt for Tom Rhodes, MasterChef Champion with quirky 2021, showing how to flavour tofu. Liam Rogers, a finalist bars” from last year’s Professionals show, effortlessly prepares a fish dish. Then it’s off to the main music stage, ringed with quirky bars, for Rozalla, East 17 and S Club Allstars. Everyone goes home happy.
Day two and Lee Ryan and Simon Webbe of Blue are on stage tonight, sharing their new album ‘Heart & Soul’. The place is packed. Simon’s mellow vocal starts the show, Lee joins him, and the crowd sing to the hits. Great memories. DL ★★★★
MADNESS – ONE STEP BEYOND!, SHREWSBURY
Fedoras, bowler hats and shades were donned by the capacity crowd at the Quarry who rocked to the heavy, heavy monster sound of Madness in July.
Frontman Suggs, in a silver suit, joked that it was great to be back in Barcelona. Then the roar of Lee Thompson’s trademark saxophone kicked off the show.
‘One Step Beyond’ was accompanied by a wonderful brass section, creating a fantastic festival atmosphere all night, and drummer Woody kept the rock-steady beat.
More ska classics: ‘The Prince’, ‘Embarrassment’, ‘The Sun and The Rain’, ‘Return of
“The roar the Los Palmas 7’, of Lee’s ‘My Girl’s Mad at trademark Me’ and ‘Shut Up’ sax kicked off the show” were among their fantastic repertoire. The finale, ‘Night Boat to Cairo’ with footage from Burton and Taylor’s Cleopatra, was brilliant. (So were the medics for the dance casualties!) Finally Suggs said: “You’ve all got homes to go to. Merry Christmas!” SW ★★★★★
ALANIS MORISSETTE, BIRMINGHAM UTILITA ARENA
I’d been waiting for my night with Alanis Morissette on her Jagged Little Pill –25 Year Anniversary tour since pre-Covid. That makes the album, which was staple listening for many a ’90s teen, 27 years old now, and makes me feel decidedly ancient.
I’m a massive fan of Alanis, and aside from the absence of those once trademark leather trousers, she didn’t disappoint. Winner of no fewer than seven Grammys, her vocal is still amazingly strong, and performed with a live band the songs sounded even better to me. “The songs We had opted for sounded standard not tiered even better seating, but I was live” glad as it meant I could I get up and dance for the whole show, where others had to sit politely in their seats. Although I’m not sure Alanis’ heart is really in touring any more, one thing is certain – I’ll be first in the queue to see her again in 25 years’ time! SW ★★★★
NOZSTOCK 2022
Ever fancied Glastonbury but can’t be bothered to battle for tickets? Or maybe Reading/Leeds but wary of the commercialism? Then Nozstock might well be for you. With a capacity of just 5,000, the four-day event in July managed to contain 11 stages and some wild and wondeful revellers in a carnival-like atmosphere – the costumes were a wonder to behold.
Nestled in a valley close to the Shropshire/ Herefordshire border, you could cross the arena in five minutes. Food choices were plentiful and not unreasonably priced – the raclette grill deserves special mention. The huge number of bars were well “The organised, so no queuing for the triple gooseberry mojitos! costumes The acts gave it their all, our highlights being Bill Bailey and were a wonder” Andy C. With not a drop of rain, and everyone treating it like a free weekend of fun (paid for in 2019) it revived my faith in independent summer festivals. See you guys in 2023! ★★★★★
ROMEO AND JULIET, GROSVENOR PARK, CHESTER
Grosvenor Park’s open-air production of Romeo and Juliet was outstanding. Directed by John Young, the 10-strong cast brought Shakespeare’s story of teens defying their families as they fall in love to life in a quirky staging set in 1950s Italy.
Samuel Awoyo and Joelle Brabban played the leads with easy conviction, while Eddy Payne was a standout hit as Benvolio: he entertained every time he stepped on the stage. Haylie Jones as Mercutio was endearing, and Nicola Blackman, playing Nurse, hilarious and poignant by turn.
Songs by Chester composers ME + Deboe were a perfect fit. A mesmerising evening from start to finish. ★★★★★
FOOD LIVE, ROYAL CHESHIRE COUNTY SHOW
I based myself in the Food Live theatre – and spent two sweltering days in a marquee, but I didn’t want you to miss out! My first highlight was Brian Mellor sharing pranks he’s played on new chefs, telling them to shave the hairs from strawberries or whip single cream in the cold store with a fork! Ex-Corrie star Sean Wilson defied the heat to make cheese from scratch. Simon Rimmer did wonders with a slab of beef, though as a veggie I’m more excited about Greens, his new place in Sale. Jean-Christophe Novelli talked so much he forgot a dish in the oven. ‘Don’t let my wife know!’ he joked. His syrup basket looked easy enough… until I tried it at home. DL ★★★★
SHREWSBURY ROCKS, QUARRY PARK
Ottowan’s ‘D.I.S.C.O’ helped get the heatwave party started amid a sea of parasols and ice-packs. Nick Heyward’s ‘Fantastic Day’ and ‘Favourite Shirts’, hits from his Haircut 100 days were the perfect vibe for the afternoon, while Roland Gift, former Fine Young Cannibals frontman, gave an outstanding delivery of their hits, and Living In A Box got the crowd dancing too.
Belinda Carlisle was on top
“…the perfect summer vibe” form, so too were Tony Hadley and Billy Ocean. All three could have rivalled Wet Wet Wet for the top slot but new vocalist Kevin Simm, replacing Marti, gave his all. Security and medics did an amazing job in the heat, as did the volunteers from Child Bereavement UK. SW ★★★★
RAG‘N’BONE MAN, DELAMERE FOREST
The hottest day of the year, and we had tickets to see Rag‘n’Bone Man in the cool of the forest. What could be more perfect. The concert was part of Forestry England’s ‘Forest Live’ series, raising funds to help look after the nation’s forests for people to enjoy.
Special guests Will and the People and Charlotte Jane were fantastic warmups, and the atmosphere was phenomenal. My teenage daughters loved it. Rag‘n’Bone Man with his distinctive baritone voice did not disappoint. He opened with 2017’s ‘Skin’, followed by a mix of older tracks. The crowd went wild for
“The ‘Human’ mid-set, then atmosphere was phenomenal” he treated us to some new unreleased music before finishing with ‘Giant’. ★★★★★ Paul Dulac
SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL, QUARRY PARK
Another huge success for the Shropshire Festivals team. There were plenty of visitors, but the space was big enough that it didn’t feel crowded. With the family in tow, food was not the
main focus. The kids enjoyed the inflatables, one of the longest courses in Europe, my husband liked the festival feel of the music stage, and I could have spent all day listening to The Wiggles theatre group. Park and ride made it easy, and it was great to see “…doing local food producers a roaring trade” doing a roaring trade. SW ★★★★
TEXAS AND SAM RYDER, DELAMERE FOREST
Few settings could be more suited to Sam Ryder’s laidback melodies. Saving his Eurovision song ‘Spaceman’ till last, his gentle presence delighted the crowd.
Texas, opening with ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’, their global hit from 1989, brought everyone to their feet. Sharleen Spiteri thrilled from start to finish with tracks from new album Hi.
The concerts were part of Forestry England’s ‘Forest Live’ series which aims to introduce forests to new audiences. Going on tonight’s show, it’s a resounding success. ★★★★★
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