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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
Photos of The Blockheads by J N Photography Aberdeen: https://ashotinthedark.weebly.com/
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Sons of Descent were the support band, and were 3 well dressed gentlemen from Edinburgh. They were perhaps “an acquired taste” with a very electronica sound and some rather blunt lyrics. The set included songs: Look at the Sky, Your Lips Were Warm and Access is Denied – if their names are the most repeated phases. I actually quite enjoyed the latter and maybe would acquire a taste for them if I spent more time listening to them. I did almost buy their Know My Name t-shirt as it was rather cool, and only £5, they made a point of telling us about their very cheap merchandise…special deal of two for a tenner apparently…
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There’s always some songs that you think would be great to hear live and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick is one that’s always been in my head as a prime suspect. Unfortunately I missed seeing the original line up with Ian Dury singing before he passed away 20 years ago but tonight was my chance to experience it live, with the rest of the band. My friend thought that Ian’s son was the new singer but it turned out to be Mike Bennett, who did a fantastic job, with great vocals. He had quite a stage presence and got the crowd going with yells of Oy Oy!
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The band came on doing an instrumental and were captivating from the start. Dave the saxophonist was absolutely amazing – even playing two saxophones at once at one point. I do have a soft spot for a sax but he was outstanding. We had various hits from through the years such as Wake Up and Make Love With Me, Billericay Dickie, Reasons to be Cheerful (part 3!) and the controversial (banned by the BBC) Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. It was an energetic and highly enjoyable set by some very talented musicians. There seemed to be a good camaraderie between the original members and Mike, although Ian has been gone for over 20 years unbelievably so he has had time to settle in!
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I sang along to a few songs, jiggled around for most of the set and was joyous for the whole of Hit Me! It did not disappoint at all, although it was followed by a lullaby sounding Sleep Francis that had me worrying about driving home! Understandably they did not leave us on that quiet note, the whole place went mental when we were asked if there were any Blockheads in, by that part of the set we were ALL Blockheads. The last song was an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm across the whole room and the applause was plentiful!
Further information: https://www.theblockheads.com/
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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