Review & Photography by Paul Hutchings for MPM
In a world of constant turmoil and unrest, we naturally radiate towards familiarity, comfort, and warm memories. It’s no wonder then, that there are 400 souls crammed into this converted 19th century church on a windy Friday evening.
Tonight, Geoff Tate transports most of the audience back to 1988 and what is rightly deemed a heavy metal classic; the full performance of the Queensrÿche opus Operation: Mindcrime. Badged as The Final Chapter, it is billed as one last opportunity to see the album performed in full. Given the response, and the full houses across this short UK run, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to this come round again. As the man said, “Let’s do this again”.
It’s a fine performance. The drama as the intro kicks in remains high, I Remember Now segueing into Anarchy–X. Tate’s band are key to the production, pure rock stars with every move, kick and jump. They are clearly having fun, for the smiles amongst the band are wide. And whilst Clodagh McCarthy is initially hidden behind her keys to the rear of the stage, she soon slips into the Pamela Moore role as the story unfolds, playing an animated Sister Mary with great vocals.
But it’s Geoff Tate that everyone is here to see and listen to. The man has his critics, but vocally he remains phenomenal. Later in the evening he hits all the notes on Take Hold of the Flame, gets the tears flowing on Silent Lucidity and has everyone singing along with Empire and Jet City Woman. He even throws in two tracks from his recently released Operation: Mindcrime III which gets impressively warm reactions.
It’s the original Mindcrime that everyone wants to hear though, and the band rattle through it at speed. By the time we roll into Eyes of A Stranger, some of the audience are already spent through emotional singing and memories of those 1990s shows when the original outfit played the album in full.
The production may be less elaborate tonight, but with a gifted band hitting all the notes, a classic lightshow that floods the stage with reds, blues, pinks and yellows, and Tate in as good form as he’s been for a long time, this was well worth the effort on a Friday night.
Three years ago, Tate and his band were a few miles down the road at The Neon in Newport, for the 35th anniversary of the album. Two years til the 40th anniversary, my money is on Tate returning for one more hit.
Getting a little-known soloist to take main support slot is brave. James Keegan has no qualms and the lad from Cork uses his 30-minute set to gain a few new fans with his genuine quality. Songs with an acoustic guitar can be a little dull, especially when the crowd is there for the headliner, but Keegan uses his Southern Irish charm to ensure that at least some of those in the pit pay attention. In a different setting, I am sure Keegan would be captivating. He’s talented and confident for sure.
Over 12 years into their journey, Aussies Sisters Doll don’t lack confidence either. A heady mix of sleazy glam rock and the middle of the road Bon Jovi earworms, the quartet of brothers hit the stage with a bounce that makes the audience take notice and what comes from weeks on the road together.
Whilst they do little to float my boat, this type of rock is possibly my least favourite, plenty of the Welsh crowd find something to enjoy and they do brisk trade at the merch desk later. A swift gallop on a curtailed set sees them welcome everyone to the Dolls House whilst singalong Good Day to be Alive closes out the set in extended KISS fashion.
Good fun for those who indulge in such sounds, Sisters Doll prove the perfect foil for the start of the evening.
