John Otway Band

JOHN OTWAY BAND

IAC 12TH January 2025

Third night in a row at the IAC... and what a superb night it was!!.. I love an eccentric, and they dont come much more eccentric than the barmpot John Otway. I've seen John many times both solo and with Wild Willy, but this was my first time seeing him accompanied by a band, so wasn't sure what to expect... and it was superb... the lunacy unchanged but backed by an absolutely superb band.

The band were simply magnificent, they were tight, a powerhouse and really rocked... and totally in tune with each other and with John. The bass/drums rhythm section underpinned the whole sound, the drum sound was outstanding and the bass pumped along beautifully. Up front Murray and Rich played superb guitar forming a really terrific rock band.

Up front Otway delivered his customary mix of song, music and lunacy... starting off by sympathising with those who hadn't seen him before as they didn't know what they were letting themselves in for before talking about the success of his hit, and playing "Really Free" and "Beware the Flowers" during which he was pelted with artificial flowers each time the title appeared...

These were followed by "Delilah", the number that made John the face of Weetabix back in the day.

The set careered along in familiar style with Otways humour and performance to the fore, until he announced the final song of the half, after which he said the band would need a rest and the audience would certainly need a break... the song was an anthemic "We Rock" which rocked and grew more manic as it went on...

The second half was opened with "Bunsen", a scientific sort of song followed by "House of the Rising Sun"... delivered more or less solo with the enthusiastic audience calling out the questions

("there is a house in... "where is it John?"... "in New Orleans"... whats it called John?... ) before the band came in and reprised the first verse or two with the audience singing along with vigour.

The theremin came out for the Osmonds "Crazy Horses" and the set then continued in the same vein ending up with a wonderful version of "Cheryls Going Home" (it's not funny, she left me!) and the final song "I dont know what i'm doing (but i shouldnt be doing this)"

As they finished they got a well deserved massive ovation from the audience who had had a ball and loved the show... they came back for an encore, "Geneve" then it was over...

An evening of brilliant music delivered by a really superb band, genial lunacy and tremendous humour and spirit. John Otway is truly a master of his craft, fine musician, hugely madcap, writer of great songs ("Flowers" once voted 7th best lyric ever, ahead of anything by Dylan) and absolutely hilarious... his expressions movements and antics keep you rivetted and laughing from the off... there is nothing quite like an Otway gig.. .whatever format it takes... and should be available on the National Health as a tonic for everyone.

Barmy.. Hilarious.. Musically brilliant.. uplifting.. wonderful.. John and the band clearly have a ball... and the audience just cant help loving and revelling in every glorious moment... absolutely superb show!!

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