Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
Well what else would one be doing on a brisk yet dry school night in Belfast. When we heard the Little Angels Belfast gig announced, we immediately made plans to see the Scarborough lads, filled with nostalgia and eager to reminisce our teenage years. Tonight’s gig has no support (mainland UK will be treated to support from Luke Morley – Thunder), so we look forward to revelling in the rocking golden oldies and some newer tracks from the lad’s newest EP, Big Bad & Back which was only just released on the 06/11/26. The lads haven’t toured in 14yrs and this is their first new music in 32 yrs!! The room was filling up nicely prior to Little Angels taking to the stage. It was nice to spot familiar faces and see old and new Merch proudly adorned by die hard fans. Although I will say the majority of the crowd tonight were aged 50+ it was lovely to see a few young faces amongst us.
As the stage is ready and the lights drop, sound bites from various radio/tv shows including Tommy Vance and Top of the Pops booms throughout the venue with audio snippets of the biggest hits as Little Angels take to the stage. The Belfast crowd cheer, greeting Little Angels with a warm Norn Iron welcome. Positioned and ready to rock, The Thunderbirds legendary countdown gets everyone riled up and ready for a rocking night. The set opens with the instantly recognisable synth intro to ‘She’s A Little Angel’ (first track of the night from the Don’t Prey For Me album) and the crowd goes wild. The lads look as excited to be on the stage as we are to see them on Irish shores – Toby greets us asking ‘Good evening, Belfast – who would’ve thought it would happen’ and judging by the warm response we are damn glad to see the lads back out doing what they do best. Their energy is fun and contagious and ‘Kickin’ Up Dust’ raises those levels even higher.Toby is quite the frontman and has the Belfast fans singing along whilst the other lads are having a blast playing live.
The musicianship of the band is something else – the horn section ‘Big Bad Horns’ aka Dave Kemp (saxophone) and Grant Kirkhope (Trumpet) really compliments the Scarborough lad’s atmosphere and it’s a real treat to see them on stage with Little Angels having contributed to recordings and live performances over the years. What a Reunion!! The band roll out hit and fan favourite in quick succession from Product of the Working Class (Young Gods) to Do You Wanna Riot to Radical Your Lover. The Limelight is well warmed up and the atmosphere is electric. Bruce is shredding the solos and incredible to watch. What makes Little Angels so special is that this band is a group of brothers (no pun intended as Bruce and Jim are brothers lol) who enjoy playing music andsoaking up the joy that their performance brings to their fans. There are no egos here tonight just an ensemble of mature lads who after 14 years have rediscovered their love of playing in a band together.
Toby reflects on the first time Little Angels played in Belfast – 1989 in the Limelight 2 – he asks if we remember and the majority of the crowd do and cheer although given by the majority of older fans in attendance, I think it’s safe to say we were all a lot younger and less achy then. Toby commented on the fan’s loyalty – citing “how can we refuse – this is amazing”. Next up 90 in the Shade gives Jim a chance to showcase his keyboard prowess including the opportunity to present his very cool chequered custom designed Keytar. Toby chatted about they played in Dublin last night and that it was their first show in 14 yrs – the lads recognised that they needed to make new music hence the creation of their newest EP but he delights the Belfast crowd when he announces that they plan to make a new record next year with another tour. This is music to our ears. Little Angels then delight us with the title track from their new EP All for One followed by Big Bad World. Despite the newest release only being 4 days old the crowd are singing and rocking out to the new tunes.
Next up the band, all except for Toby, leave the stage and with his acoustic guitar he delivers a montage of classic ballads which nearly brings a tear to the eye of even the hardest men in tonight’s audience. Toby’s Jukebox contains delights such as Sail Away, Splendid Isolation and Broken Wings of An Angel. Have to admit hearing Don’t Pray for Me and I Ain’t Gonna Cry were one of many highlights of the night for me. Although my bestie Karen was in her absolute element singing the lyrics throughout the show, like many others, song after song which I’m sure was heartwarming for the lads to see after a 14yr hiatus. Toby takes a moment to pay tribute to his dear friend Steve Strange who Jepson explains was a great ambassador for Belfast and encourages us all to raise a metaphorical glass for Steve. Womankind and Way That I Live from the Jam album were phenomenal live. The two Marks are on fire on the bass and drums and have to give another shout out to Big Bad Horns who just elevate the atmosphere.
Hero (That Was Then This Is Now) Little Angels newest and first new single in 32 years, is a cracking anthemic tune and so relevant to all us fans who have loved the band since the 80/90s and perfectly sums up the sentimentality of tonight’s gig wrapped up in a kick ass rocking bow. The Wildside Of Life has the fans chanting and bouncing along with the upbeat tempo and exuberant vibes. Toby jokes ‘it’s past me fucking bedtime it is’, I think the feelings mutual lads but we don’t want the set to end. Toby then reflects on the learning curves over the years and how returning to playing as a band has been a long road back but that it’s been enjoyable. He also takes time to remember the Little Angels original drummer Michael Lee who sadly passed away in 2008. The vocalist reflects on how older tracks meant something different back then but are still relevant today and then the lads launch into Boneyard and Too Much Too Young. Belfast are loving life and relishing singing the catchy choruses just as the Scarborough lads are having an absolute blast on the stage.
We have the obligatory walk off the stage as we eagerly await the final tunes of tonight. Little Angels take to the stage one last time and Toby and Bruce are sporting different Jackets – Bruce was rocking his Red Teddy boy esque drape Jacket!! Toby addresses the sweaty and contented Belfast fans one last time and reminds us all of the important things in life such as ‘having a home and people you care about all around you especially with all the bullshit going on around the world’. He reminds us that Little Angels came from a small town, ‘we really are small town boys’ and they end the night with an encore of Small Town Boys and the magnificent Young Gods. What an encore, what a gig and I can genuinely say it’s fantastic to see Little Angels back together tight as ever and helping us older folk reminisce and feel like we are teenagers and young again, albeit even if it was only for a few hours – don’t think the old backs and knees could’ve lasted any longer than that to be fair!! We look forward to hearing the new record next year lads and seeing you on stage again – let’s not leave it as long next time. What a night of pure Rock’n’roll nostalgia, energy and passion – and a reminder that some bands never lose their ability to soar!!.
Photography by Darren McVeigh for MPM
