Status Quo

If ever there was a band guaranteed to put on a great live show, then Status Quo would be the band to live up to that expectation. Year after year after year, they always manage to produce a live show, which can easily fit into the label of ‘Gig of the year’.

There will be some people who will take the mickey out of such an old band still touring, and with certain other bands I’d agree that they should have given up a long time ago, however with Status Quo it’s a case of wishing that they will keep on rocking all over the world for ever.


The Nottingham Ice Arena was full to capacity, and as you would expect their fans are of a certain non-youthful age, not that it is a problem, in fact it made a change having a crowd that were friendly and willing to watch the show in a gentle calm manner.

In their wisdom Status Quo decided to call this tour ‘In Search Of The Fourth Chord’ (which is the same name as their 28th album). They even did a little sketch in between songs where Rick Parfitt manages to play that elusive fourth chord. For those of you who are too young to remember who Status Quo are, over the last 40 years or so they have built up a reputation for only using three chords.

So humour aside, as you would expect from a band that have such vast experience of playing live, their sound is note perfect, they have perfected their setlist so that the audience genuinely get what they want.



They even had chance to squeeze in a couple of new tracks from the ‘In Search Of The Fourth Chord’ album, ‘Gravy Train’ and ‘Beginning Of The End’ was well received by the adoring middle-aged sea of people. But no matter how well those songs were liked, it was obvious that it was the classics like the show opener ‘Caroline’ and ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ were always going to bring the place to life with fans swaying, jumping, singing along to songs of yesteryear.

Status Quo are one of those bands that don’t need to rely on gimmicks to impress a crowd, they just play their instruments effortlessly and passionately. Even after all of the years of playing ‘Whatever You Want’ they still give the impression that they genuinely enjoy belting it out to the audience, and as a punter watching the show you get the feeling that Rick, Francis, and Rhino are appreciative of their fans - a genuine appreciation.


So another year, another impressive Status Quo show, and provided that they have no major health issues, I dare say they will be back as good as ever next year for another stunning show.

If you want to see why they have lasted as long as they have in the music industry then just go and catch them live and it will all become perfectly clear. They maybe old but they are still years ahead of their game.

FUTURE GIGS