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Stray Cats
UK Tour
02 Academy, Birmingham
02 Apollo, Manchester
Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith
23-27 June 2019
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As that was their farewell tour it did look like that was that. Even though I did go on to see all three of them doing their own shows - and even two of them together on a particularly memorable Brixton night - the opportunity of seeing all three Cats together looked like it had gone for good.
Fast forward to 2018 and the extraordinary news that they were going to put out a new album, to be followed by a tour, to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
I knew I had to snap up tickets as soon as they were available, which I duly did - for all four UK tour dates.
This set up my own mini-tour of three different cities: Birmingham, Manchester and London (two dates.) This left a spare Cat-less night in Birmingham, for which I was happy to able to secure a seat to see Gladys Knight.
The first night in Birmingham was the only show with unreserved seating, so I got to the venue early to find a good seat. The plan looked like it wasn’t going to work because the queue was already stretching way out into the distance when I arrived. It was the longest queue I had ever seen for a gig. The good side of standing there for an extended period of time was that it allowed me to see how magnificently everyone and dressed for the occasion. Drape jackets, leopard-skin prints, pompadours and quiffs made up the order of the day and I have never seen so many Stray Cat logos in the same place at the same time. Some were on T-shirts, others on tattoos.
The queue moved slowly once the doors opened as searches were active; not just for bags but for people also. Even collars were checked, presumably for fish hooks.
There’s always a significant period of time between entering the venue and the start of the show. With unreserved seating the trick is to track down a good seat while most people are hitting the bars. In fact I was pleased to find an excellent spot just a few rows back on the balcony. The area downstairs was one big mosh pit, of course - as it was for the other three gigs.
Support came in the form of Australian band The Living End. They owe a lot of their style and passion for music to Stay Cats, as they themselves were keen to stress. Their music is very energetic and heavier than pure Rockabilly. They worked hard and I enjoyed their set, as I did on the other three evenings. On the final evening, which was the second night in Hammersmith, the evening was further enhanced by the addition of The Selector to the bill and they keep the energy levels high.
A large road crew took to the stage to change things around for Stray Cats and before too long, amid a sea of palpable anticipation, they were suddenly on the stage, launching straight into a fabulous Catfight. This song, the first on the new album, showed immediate rocking intent. The new songs were clearly structured to be played live and the up-tempo live versions gave all of them an extra kick. It was interesting to see how they were able to hold their own against the established classics.
It was a very strong set list; definitely all-killer. The enthusiasm and energy of the Cats in full flow is a sight to behold. Slim Jim Phantom on the left, keeping the beat on his trademark drum kit (no seat); Brian Setzer, centre stage, with his highly distinctive voice and Rockabilly riffs; Lee Rocker on the right, slapping the bass like there’s no tomorrow. The sound is phenomenal for a trio and just three instruments.
Set List
Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)
Runaway Boys
Double Talkin' Baby
Three Time’s a Charm
Stray Cat Strut
Mean Pickin’ Mama
Gene and Eddie
Cry Baby
I Won't Stand in Your Way
Misirlou
When Nothing’s Going Right
(She's) Sexy + 17
Bring it Back Again
My One Desire
Blast Off
Lust 'n' Love
Fishnet Stockings
Rock this Town
Encore
Rock it Off
Built for Speed
Rumble in Brighton
It was a pulsating evening of pure entertainment; 90 minutes of top Rockabilly without a single dull moment.
The set list was the same for the next three shows, but each gig had its own unique atmosphere. The second Hammersmith date wasn't quite the sell-out of the other three nights but it was still a top night. Celebrities in the London audiences included Glen Matlock and Mr Ducktail and a lot of people had travelled great distances to see the Cats. For example, on the second night in Hammersmith I was next to a couple who had come all the way from Japan.
Are the Cats back for good, or will the 40th anniversary year be their swan song? Whatever happens from this moment on I am simply delighted to have been able to see them all together at last. It is the first time I have seen anyone for more than two consecutive nights of a tour
We conclude with a gallery from the first night. A gallery of images from the other three nights may well follow in due course.
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