Magnum, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

 

Whenever Magnum return home to the Midlands you are assured a gig to remember, one full of pomp , incredible guitar work and lyrics that stand the test of time.

Opening the first set with When We Were Younger from the latest album Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Magnum pulled out all the stops to thrill a capacity crowd. The audience greeted every song enthusiastically, including the seminal Les Mort Dansant, All England’s Eyes and the whole of the album Wings of Heaven, which was being recorded live to mark its 20th anniversary.

Opening the second set with their U.K. top 40 hit, Days Of No Trust, Bob Catley took the audience on a rollercoaster ride with songs that seem as apt now as they did back in 1987.

A splendid evening was rounded off by the crowd-pleasing encore Scared Hour.

Ian D. Hall