The Sheffield Scenester

In 1986 a man called Phill Lynott died of pneumonia and heart failure...on the 6th February 2011 a close friend of Phil’s died of heart attack...this man was called Gary Moore. Together these two (including various line-up changes) along with Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson and Brian Downey made the Irish born rock band Thin Lizzy. Thin Lizzy made their big debut back in 1972 with the single “Whiskey In The Jar” and from then on they continued to grow and grow until the death of lead singer, front man and bassist Phill Lynott, died after years of drug use and drinking. The band stopped and then saw Gary Moore take on a very successful solo career as a Blues guitarist and who played on the same stage with BB King and Albert King. In 1996 Scott gathered members to reform a “new” Thin Lizzy which included original drummer Brian Downey.

The last time Lizzy played Sheffield prior to tonight was in 2007 when they played the memorial hall. Unfortunately I had missed that chance to see them so seeing them come back and play again was more than I could have asked for. The supporting bands for the night were Triggerfinger (a 3 man band consisting of vocalist Ruben Block, bassist Paul Van and drummer Mario Goossens. When I arrived these guys were just going off stage, so I didn’t get a chance to see them...but from what I heard when I asked the people next to us is that they did put on a good show and apparently had people on their feet (which is not what support bands usually do at a small venue like Sheffield!) Thin Lizzy also had another support band for the night called Clutch; who I had heard of before and maybe some of you readers may know them if I were to mention the song “Electric Worry” which including a strong Blues riff accompanied with a killer harmonica solo! I have to say, with these guys I would quite happily see them play without another band supporting them. It was a shame that they didn’t have an organ player with them, as some of their album songs would have worked well being played on a rock organ, especially to emphasize those riffs....that would have sounded amazing in the City Hall, thanks to the brilliant acoustics!

At 9:15 the lights went out and a the City Hall erupted with cheers and whistles and shouts and the Thin Lizzy logo was shown on a big white curtain, a loud voice shouted out “ARE YOU READY!” the curtain dropped and there stood the band all surging into “Are You Ready” taken from their album ‘Life’ released in 1983. I was disappointed at first as everyone was still sat down when the band came on....that’s not what the band wants to see...and they weren’t having any of it, as soon as the first song was over they said “if you want more then you’re going to have to stand up and sing with us!” to which everyone did stand and the band kicked into “Jailbreak”, which I have to say has to be one of my all time favourite Lizzy songs. Following these was more classic hits such as “Bad Reputation”, “Killer on the Loose” and “Dancin’ in the Moonlight” (not to be mistaken with the cheesy song by Toploader!!) When I had heard that Lizzy had got back together again in this new line-up (including a new singer) I was doubting whether Scotty had managed to find a singer as good as Phil and... He did it. He had recruited Belfast boy Ricky Warwick who sounded exctually like Phil and could sing every song note perfect!

This new line up of Thin Lizzy also included guitarist Damon Johnson...and for those people who go to regular gigs at the City Hall may know him from Alice Cooper’s shows...he has spent many years touring with him and to see him in Lizzy...saw him ditch the eyeliner and horror makeup...and see him become the great guitarist (he was even equipped with Gary Moore’s personal choice of guitar... the famous Les Paul!) The band gave Johnson the honour of playing the famous intro to “Whiskey in the Jar” to which every person in the hall cheered and got their phones and cameras out. The City Hall is known to be quite strict when it comes to rock concerts...but even the security guards couldn’t stop the hundred or so people down in the stalls from jumping up and down and dancing around with each other, it was a great moment for someone of my age to witness.... seems as though all the people there had most likely been listening to Lizzy since they were my age and were now in their 60’s. The band must have known that this would have been the big hit of the night as this was the song that the band used to “toy” with the crowd. They let everyone sing the chorus on their own and the amplitude of people’s voices was crazy, it echoed all over the place and the man next to me had tears down his face (no joke ha-ha).

The band was reaching the end of their set-list now...but they saved their most famous song till last... with no count in or warning one of the most famous rock intros boomed through the speakers “The Boys Are Back In Town” from out of nowhere...everyone in the balcony seats and even the 4 people who were sat in the top balcony stood up and started dancing to this, the boys were really back in town! Glitter and confetti poured from above and created a wild snowstorm around the whole of the stalls. The best thing about hearing this song live is hearing the harmonised solo that Damon and Scotty played together; it is one of the most iconic solos ever created. Thin Lizzy was actually one of the first bands to have 2 lead guitarists in it and to play together in nearly all their solos. For me I couldn’t have wanted more, it was all too good to be true. After the song was over the band all gathered and took a bow only to the sound of groans and moans from all around... the crowd would not settle for just that, they wanted more!! The band walked offstage and the Thin Lizzy logo lit up behind them and the cheers for more continued and got louder and louder. After leaving the crowd waiting a few minutes the band walked back on stage and played the encore consisting of “Emerald”, “Rosalie” (a Bob Seger cover) and finally ending the night with “Black Rose”. After the encore the band did one last bow together and blew kisses of gratitude to everyone and walked off shaking a few hands along the way. I think everyone could say that the whole band, even those new to Thin Lizzy, did Gary Moore and Phil proud that night!

This review goes out to Gary Moore who the world lost almost a year ago, a talented guitarist and musician R.I.P

Words & Photos by Myles Wright