Tonight was a special night, that special that we postponed our holiday to Madeira, once we found out both Sheryl Crow and Red Sky July were appearing on the same bill, it was a no brainer, especially after the last three tours have always fallen whilst we have been out of the UK.
Once the dates were announced we were salivating at the prospect of finally seeing both bands live.
Red Sky July are a concoction of a few other bands, namely Alisha's Attic and Texas, Husband and Wife Team, Shelly Poole and Ally McErlaine make up two thirds of the band and are joined by Charity Hair, formerly of The Alierons.
With two albums to their name, the self titled debut album and current offering 'Shadowbirds' Red Sky had so much ammunition to fire through their blistering 30 minute set.
They have been around for a few years and have played support slots with some famous names such as 10cc, Deacon Blue, Heather Peace, James Walsh and Jools Holland and tonight of course Ms Crow.
I have never seen Red Sky before and I was totally blown away at how good they are, I think I spent the whole set with my mouth wide open absolutely astonished. The harmonies were surreal, I felt like they'd been together forever.
It was a no frills set, just the three members and their instruments and by god did they stick it to the audience. It looked like they had a ball, even much so Ally smiled throughout the whole set. It was enjoyable and actual music to your ears, I could've spent all night listening to them; I am so ashamed of myself for not getting on the bandwagon sooner and maybe pulling my finger out and seeing what it was all about.
Its' not often that you're sad when the support band goes off stage and finishes their set, BUT tonight was one of those sad moments.
The audience tonight was packed with forty and fifty something's with a few twenty-something's thrown in for good measure. Quite a funny mix to say the least.
Ms Crow is the tender age of 52, all I'm gonna say here is if I look like that when I'm 52 I'll be pleased with myself. It looked like she had buns of steel and arm definition that any body builder will be proud of.
With her ninth studio album 'Feels Like Home', apparently described as her first country album, Crow has been around for what seems like an eternity. A nine time Grammy award winner and a stalwart for women in music, now based near Nashville, much to my partners delight and tonight was about that country sound.
Dressed quite sexily tonight in high heeled ankle boots, tight glittery leggings and a low cut, figure hugging top, Crow was all that a star is, with the amazing vocal range that she's famous for. No fancy pants pyrotechnics tonight, just a kick ass band, who were a testament to Crow and made it a real treat to see the spectacle that is Sheryl Crow.
We made the effort tonight, a 130 mile round trip from Birmingham and it was so, so worth it. A set littered with hit after hit, I felt like getting up out of my sit at the start of the gig and boogying on down, but it was a bit stuffy, especially as the audience never got out their seats until late on through the set. I don't know whether it was because the gig was in a theatre setting or because it was seated, who knows, shame the audience weren't a bit more 'get up and go'. I felt sorry for Ms Crow cause she was giving it her all stage. It was left till the last three songs of the main set, before the encore, that the audience finally got up on to their feet and actually felt passionate about tonight, Crow loved it, even much so she acknowledged all the front row and shook hands with a few lucky people.
This was Crow's first time in Nottingham and hopefully it won't be her last, come to Birmingham next time please!! This was one date out of six dates in the UK, topping it off on Friday at the Blues Fest at the amazing Royal Albert Hall. (Kicking myself we're not going to see this now), there is no way we were missing tonight and thank god we got off our arses and made the effort.
Over 90 minutes of stonking, unadulterated rock and roll and country were just what the doctor ordered, Crow and her band were on fire. Stand out tracks tonight were immense single from the new album, 'Easy',this was the start of an amazing rollercoaster ride., I was hooked, like a fish on a line and I was craving more and more.
Hit after hit after hit, it was like a greatest hits tour, oh boy, now that would be something.
The set was ram packed full, stonker 'Everyday is a Winding Road', was absolutely immense, along with 'Soak Up The Sun', I was in total heaven.
Crow said her kids thought she was cool when they realised she did have a job and after they found out she was singing the theme tune to Disney's cars - 'Real Gone'.
There aren'tmany artists that can have so many jewels in the crown in a set but Crow has a back catalogue to die for. Cover 'First Cut is the Deepest',was totally surreal, and my feet and body just wanted to dance when the first few bars of 'All I Wanna Do', struck out.
'If it Makes You Happy' and 'A Change Will Do You Good' were the icing on the cake for me, topped off with one of the Encore songs: 'Run Baby Run', I actually thought I'd died and gone to heaven it was so good.
This was by far one of the best gigs I've been to this year and I've been to quite a few. Just a shame Crow only tours once in a while and this UK leg is nearly done and dusted.
I walked away from tonight's gig with one happy partner and a smile from ear to ear. Do yourself a favour check out both Red Sky July, and 'Shadowbirds', and of course the awesomeness that is Sheryl Crow.
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.