The Quireboys made a triumphant return to the stage in London to a sold-out O2 Forum crowd. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of their landmark record Homewreckers and Heartbreakers, these veteran rock ‘n’ rollers proved that they are still very relevant and that rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well on their watch.
This would be a special one-off performance of the Homewreckers album in its entirety. While it may be a cliche these days to go on tour and play a classic record from start to finish, the Quireboys are anything but. These guys have stuck to their guns and their original sound from the beginning—one of the few bands who have a three-decade-plus career who never have to claim that they are “going back to their roots,” as they’ve never left them.
Spike looks and sounds fantastic as does the rest of the band. The songs hold up incredibly well, and that’s because of their dedication to keeping their brand of rock ‘n’ roll fresh. Being from the States, I remember the first time I saw these guys on MTV. I must have played their debut album A Bit of What You Fancy a hundred thousand times. I missed Homewreckers as it wasn’t a hit in the US, but I’m glad I got to see this show and even picked up the 10th-anniversary edition of the record which the band signed for me. (They are all super cool by the way and signed CDs and took photos with fans for hours before the gig.)
The setlist of course included Homewreckers and Hearbreakers, but the Quireboys gave fans an extra dose or rock ‘n’ roll greatness with seven additional songs. All the hits were there including “Hey You,” “7 O’Clock,” “Sweet Mary Ann,” and a stunning version of the classic “I Don’t Love You Anymore.”
In addition to a brilliant set by The Quireboys, the bill that night was stacked. Sweedish hard rockers H.E.A.T delivered a blistering set of high energy madness. Aaron Buchanan and The Cult Classics could have easily stolen the entire show with their energy, dynamic songwriting, and the sheer presence of Buchanan himself who is like Frank Carter crossed with Michael Jackson. And good thing I got there early for up and comers Those Damn Crows—simple, no-frills riff rock alongside huge anthemic choruses. It was a brilliant night of music all across the board.
H.E.A.T
AARON BUCHANAN
THOSE DAMN CROWS
Pick up The Quireboys 10th anniversary edition of Homewreckers and Heartbreakers here. It’s worth every penny.
