STATUS QUO / THE JOKERS / DEPARTED | LIVE REVIEW
Parc Y Scarlets, Llanelli, Sat 27 Aug
A grey, overcast August bank holiday sky threatened imminent precipitation for the crowd pacing towards Parc Y Scarlets rugby stadium. All this hesitation, however, was quickly replaced by stormy excitement. A steady stream of silver hair filed into the venue until a sea of ageing rockers with a party attitude were stood (and sat) ready to relive their rebellious days.
Openers Departed took to the stage and kicked straight into a foot-stomping anthem. Mark Pascall hit all the right vocal notes, brothers Connor and Howie Spring carried one another on drums and bass respectively, while Ben Bennett, a wide smile permanently on his face, rotated between rocking rhythms and heart-pumping solos. The set grasped the audience’s attention, inducing ripples of vicarious past pleasures through many, one suspects.
Up next were English classic rock quartet The Jokers, who incited near enough the entire venue to wave arms and even show off a few classic moves. Wane Parry’s deep stare was matched only by his strong vocal ability; guitarist Paul Hurst brought a spry nature, face-shredding solos and surprisingly flexible neck. Their southern-licked sound suggests Free, The Police and The Grateful Dead compressed into a concentrated vitamin tablet, Hurst’s long blonde cascading curls lifted out behind him as he discarded his guitar mid-set and ran from side to side, encouraging the crowd to get into the clapping mood. Dan Evans and Liverpudlian addition Tom Crane, meanwhile, ushered in a solid foundation for the band to stride over.
The Jokers departed and floodlights burst into life, illuminating the stalls in a sickly yellow tinge. Up until this moment, those in the seated area had understandably been withdrawn from the front row antics (despite their efforts in participation) but when the stadium was dropped into a state of darkness, followed by light abruptly blasting from the stage, boogie rock veterans Status Quo entered the arena and were met with screams of adoration. Dublin-based guitarist Richie Malone successfully filled the shoes of Rick Parfitt, currently recovering from surgery; Francis Rossi informed the audience that he had already collected some lovely green pitch to take home before renditions of The Wanderer, Hold You Back and Down Down.
Quo’s continued vigour, considering their origins date back as far as 1962, is quite something to behold. John ‘Rhino’ Edwards stood in his traditional wide-leg stance as he strummed away on his headless bass; Rossi showed off his own technical skill on the six strings, leaving Andy Bown to work his applauded dexterity over the keyboards, while the lightshow fired brightly coloured beams out over the throng.
Families rocked in their seats and couples, young and old, were up and dancing to the relentless Rockin’ All Over The World, before leaving to wander home into the warm night, content that age is still merely a number.
words and photos NATHAN ROACH