UFO + Jared James Nichols – Thursday 27th July 2017
For the first time in 40 years, rockers UFO returned to Birmingham town hall for a night of classic rock n roll! Accompanied by Jared James Nichols, a blues rock, 70’s influenced guitarist from Wisconsin. On paper, it was set to be one hell of a night!
Jared James Nichols was the only support of the evening, providing blues influenced 70’s rock to warm the Birmingham crowd up. The passion that radiated from the stage was undeniable, the three men LOVE what they do, there is no doubt about it. If it wasn’t for his more youthful looks, you could well be mistaken for thinking that Jared James Nichols was a bonafide 70s guitarist having the best time of his life. The songs were good, nothing special and nothing groundbreaking that really caught my attention, with a few covers thrown in for good measure, but the fans loved it and to see a musician with such a strong passion for their art was really good to see.
Following Jared James Nichols, you would expect UFO, with nearly 50 years experience to absolutely wipe the floor with him. UFO are classic rock legends and the fact that they are still touring and recording music is brilliant. However, this particular live set was nothing to call home about. As you would expect, they sounded brilliant. There were a few little hiccups with the microphone, but the band themselves sounded brilliant. They plowed through hit after hit playing pretty much note for note which was definitely an impressive sight to witness and something I am really glad that I got to see. Where the set lost me, was the fact that after every song, vocalist Phill Mogg stopped to talk to the crowd and introduce the next song. It didn’t help that for the most part he was just talking about whatever was directly in his eyeliner at that moment. This is all well and good sprinkled throughout the set, but doing it after every single song, completely kills the flow of the set. Also, most of the set consisted of classic UFO songs, so good that they need no introduction. All I can say is that they should have let the music do the talking.
Having mentioned the passion that opening act Jared James Nichols played with, I feel I need to mention that if there is any passion for the music left in the UFO camp, it is all in drummer Andy Parker. Watching him drum, he looks like the happiest man in the world and as though he loves what he does. He is also a fantastic drummer. As I cast my eyes at the rest of the band, as talented as they may be, they looked bored and miserable. They do not look like a proper rock band, they look like they’d rather be back at home in bed. This translated out into the crowd as from where I was stood, there were many people stood on their phones not really paying attention. Quite simply, if you aren’t passionate about it anymore, Its time to call it a day.
Here’s the thing. No one is going to try and deny that UFO are spectacular musicians. No one is going to make out that they aren’t one of the last great rock acts of their era. What I will say though, having watched footage of them from back in their golden years, is that they have lost their passion and drive. At their age, I don’t expect them to run round like they used to, but I expect them to look as though they are enjoying what they are doing and as though they actually care. Because as it stands, I don’t believe they do.
Click any of the pictures to be taken through to a gallery of pictures from the night, shot by our own Lisa Billingham
Reviewed by Alex Rawstorne
