Uriah Heep and Asia, The Garage, Glasgow 20^th November 2005

This was the opening night of the tour and it was reassuring to see a sizable turnout for these two long serving bands. With the venue “The Garage” having a 10pm curfew to allow it to become a nightclub later, it was frustrating to be still waiting outside in sub-zero temperatures some 35 minutes after the advertised 7am doors opening time. As a result, Asia were on stage and performing before many people managed to get into the hall.

Asia played a shortened set of around 45 minutes featuring tracks from their most recent album “Silent nation” plus some of the classics (“Heat of the moment”, “Sole survivor”, “The heat goes on” etc.). They made the most of the confined space available to them, turning in a competent if slightly lifeless set. Perhaps the lack of time for a Geoff Downes solo spot and the general time pressures associated with the late start and curfew meant that they didn’t really have the opportunity to get going.

The frantic removal of Asia’s kit from the stage and setting up of Heep’s appeared to go well, until it became apparent that there were major problems with Mick Box’s guitar pedals. This delayed Uriah Heep's arrival on stage significantly. Although the problems appeared to be resolved when the band came on stage, Mick soon found that the gremlins were still very much at work. He apparently had to resort to working without the pedals for most of the gig, to his clear frustration. Box is however the consummate performer, still managing to smile through it all, and to banter with the audience. Uriah Heep were clearly very conscious of the venue imposed curfew, and did all they could to squeeze every last minute out of it.

The band played for around an hour, having to shorten their set significantly due to the various delays. After opening with “So tired”, they ran through a few of their more recent songs before a series of classics. “Return to fantasy”, “Lady in black” (the encore), “Sweet Lorraine” etc. all got an airing. Perhaps surprisingly, the highlight of the gig was “Sunrise” from the “Magician’s birthday” album, which took on almost anthem status with the audience in full voice.

From my own perspective though, I have to say the highlight for me was a personal dedication from Mick Box to yours truly right before the rendition of (what else!)  “Easy livin”. Unbeknown to me, my son had contacted the legendary guitarist, to inform him of my impending 50^th birthday, and my choice of user name on this site. As a lifelong fan of the band, it is a moment which will stay with me forever.

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Hi sigod. Yeah, I noticed that the doors open for the IQ gig on Dec 10th of Dec at 6.00pm! Probably all be over by 9.00pm. Just time to get home and make a nice mug of Horlicks!