This was a complete left field surprise for me. I loved them in the early 70’s. Glam rock, make up, ambiguity, loud guitars – the very antithesis of ‘TOTP’.
Today, two versions of The Sweet are still active with original members – Andy Scott’s Sweet and Steve Priest’s Sweet. Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker sadly passed away in their 50’s. It was Andy Scott’s version on display today.
As it happens two of their naffest songs ‘Wig-Wam Bam and Little Willy’ really had the crowd singing along. As Andy noted about all their audiences “they all sing along no matter what it says on their t-shirt”. The most bizarre song of the night was the synth laden ‘Love Is Like Oxygen’ which went off into a full-blown version of ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ before returning to the song. The audience were well into it bopping and singing along in unison.
It was definitely a hell raising, blockbuster with a touch of OAP rampage (yes I know awful puns). As someone said on my YouTube site after watching the video – Andy has a touch of the Mick Box about him – you decide!!
Sweet Set List
- Action – (Give Us a Wink 1976)
- New York Groove – (Hello cover)
- Hell Raiser – (1973 single)
- The Six Teens – (Desolation Boulevard 1974)
- AC/DC – (Sweet Fanny Adams 1974)
- Set Me Free – (Sweet Fanny Adams 1974)
- Teenage Rampage – (1974 singles) click to view video
- Wig-Wam Bam / Little Willy – (1972 singles)
- Love Is Like Oxygen – (inc “Fanfare for the Common man”) – (Level Headed 1978)
- Fox On The Run – (Desolation Boulevard 1974)
- Blockbuster – (1973 single) click to view video
- Ballroom Blitz – (1973 single)
I’m glad I saw them, but it’s always with a tinge of sadness when you never actually see the original line up. Alas time waits fore no man.
Marko – 20 June 2017
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