Review: The Classic Rock Show Tour 2025 at The Glasshouse ICM

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The Classic Rock Show 01.02.2025

Invited| Review by Aaron Whittington

The boys are back in town! An intro of a Thin Lizzy version of the song done them proud. There were no doubts of what we were about to see tonight for The Classic Rock show was certainly back in town and the audience at The Glasshouse knew it, as this was a sold out show for the annual return of this magnificent band. Having been back on the UK tour since early January there were only a few remaining dates left after tonight.

This was my 4th year if I recall correctly seeing the Classic Rock Show and it’s m honestly one of the highlights of the year for me along with Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac (both under the guise of CMP Entertainment).

The format and staging is simple. The backdrop rarely changes, a digital screen split into strips overlooks the stage, with the band set up in front. Sometimes the best things are simple and that’s the case with the Classic Rock Show staging. 

The audience was largely older as you may expect but there were some pre 30’s in the audience which shows good music lives forever! We had a mixture of returning fans donning their Classic Rock show merch and first timers out for a great night. The excitement was visible. 

Through expert guitar playing and a variety of vocals they brought to us a selection of the best hits from decades past, we recalled hit after hit from the best known songs and bands that defined the eras. 24 songs in total inclusive of a two song encore. It’s hard to please everyone with such a vast array of songs to choose from as there’ll always be songs not making the set list but as returning fan it was good to see that they had changed the set list (although I would have loved any repeat of previous shows.) 

Interaction is encouraged, clap, stand and dance or boo your head! Audience members were stood very early on and some dancing down the side of the aisles. 

We heard from AC/DC, Guns’n’Roses, Thin Lizzy, The Who, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Dire Straits, The Pretenders, U2 and more! Tributes to Van Halen and John Sykes also included too. 

The eight musicians that we saw on stage are just phenomenal. Rudy Cardenas is our smooth singing rockstar with loud lead vocals. I love listening and seeing Rudy who is such a showman. Accompanied alongside on lead vocals by the amazing Jesse Smith who defines this rock and roll era in looks and voice with his long wavy hair and a vocal range that that raises us to fever pitch. Both singers vocals reverberating around the concert hall. As an audience you were left to feel immersed. 

Pete Thorn and James Cole show amazing skill on guitar. Visibly masters of their craft both having their time to shine through the night too. The only complaint I had with James Thorn was that he switched to a red and white guitar shoulder strap in the second interval and well…those colours aren’t too welcome in the Newcastle /Gateshead area(representing Sunderland our local rivals!)

Wayne Banks on Bass (whose birthday it was) also had the spotlight with some vocals and of whom embodies the whole rock era also. Jess Harwood of whom I’m a major fan of through her being lead singer of the previously mentioned Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac,  took on a different role tonight on keyboard and singer, getting to be more edgy and rocky. I just wish there had have been a few more songs we got her to lead on but when she did..wow! Tim Brown was a cross between looking crazy on drums and just someone that loves what he is doing. He was clearly living in the moment tonight. Lastly on keyboard Henry Burnett, a key contributor to the success of the show again clearly loving every moment. 

If you have an opportunity to see The Classic Rock Show, in no uncertain terms grab a ticket. This will be an outstanding night of nostalgia, great songs, great energy and a fantastic showing of highly talented musicians on stage before you.

For more information or to join the mailing list for the next visit to Gateshead see the link below.

https://theclassicrockshow.com/home

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