Review by Paul Verner for MPM
Francis Rossi’s – Songs from the Status Quo Songbook & More tour proved that intimacy, humour, and decades of road‑worn charm can be every bit as compelling as a stadium‑sized rock show.
At Belfast’s Ulster Hall, Rossi—seated in his now‑signature red armchair and joined by guitarist/producer Andy Brook—delivered an evening that blended acoustic reinvention, candid storytelling, and the kind of dry wit only a 75‑year‑old rock veteran could get away with.
Rossi arrived without fanfare—no Telecaster, no denim, no trademark stance—just a wry grin and a readiness to talk. The early portion of the show leaned heavily into comedy, with Rossi opening by telling the crowd that it was “very nice that they could see how old he had got…. but that made him feel all warm because they all looked so much like him”.
When the music began, it did so with the psychedelic shimmer of Pictures of Matchstick Men, a reminder of just how long Rossi has been shaping British rock.
From there, the setlist moved through fan favourites—In My Chair, Spinning Wheel Blues, Down Down, Rockin’ All Over the World, Caroline—each reworked into a warm, acoustic format that highlighted Rossi’s melodic instincts and Brook’s subtle accompaniment.
Perhaps highlight from a musical perspective was the extended version of Lay Down Roll Over which showcased Rossi’s undeniable guitar chops much more than the 12 bar shuffle normally would. The arrangements were intentionally bare‑boned, but never thin; instead, they created space for Rossi’s voice—occasionally croaky, always expressive—to carry the emotional weight of songs that have lived several lifetimes on the road.
Between songs, Rossi launched into sprawling anecdotes about Status Quo’s early days, the chaos of fame, the best curry house in Dublin and the stories behind some of the most famous Quo songs. On this occasion these anecdotes didn’t derail the running order, as he joked he had some Ryvita waiting for him backstage for supper, but that humour was a huge part of the show’s charm.
The audience—largely long‑time Quo devotees—responded with warmth throughout. Singalongs erupted during the big hits, and Rossi’s not-so-subtle encouragement during Caroline had the room singing and even one or two out of their seats dancing.
This was not a Status Quo gig—and that’s precisely why it worked. It was a chance to sit with Francis Rossi the storyteller, the survivor, the musician who has nothing left to prove and everything left to share. The acoustic arrangements revealed new colours in familiar songs, the humour was sharp, and the atmosphere is one of genuine connection.
For fans, it was a nostalgic celebration and a night well worth experiencing.
Set List
- Pictures of Matchstick Men
- In My Chair
- Spinning Wheel Blues
- Wild Side Of Life
- Gerdundula
- Don’t wast My Time
- Rock’n’Roll
- Burning Bridges (On & Off & On Again)
Interval
- What Your’re Proposing
- 10. And It’s Better Now
- 11. Someone Show Me Home
- 12. Tongue Tied
- 13. Roll Over Lay Down
- 14. Rockin’ All Over The World
- 15. Down Down
- 16. Caroline
Photography by Lynn Francis
