UCRS are becoming something of an institution, celebrating twenty years of rocking on stage this year. Original band members Luke Bradshaw (Lead Guitar) and Gareth Kedward (Keyboards) are still going strong and showing no signs of slacking in this high tempo run through some of the most iconic rock tracks of the last few decades of the twentieth century. Bradshaw guitar work is simply wonderful, and without doubt some of the best I have seen for many a year!
An enthusiastic audience at Edinburgh’s Festival theatre were on board from the very first note as lead man Rory Bridgeman launched into Freddie’s, One Vision, quickly followed by Coverdale’s, Fool For Your Loving. A cracking start!
The quality of the vocals and musical accompaniment point towards a well-oiled and well drilled machine, and a product that has been polished to within an inch of its life. Indeed, such was the demographic, that there was really little requirement for introductions of songs, every note and every word seared into the memory of the packed house, which, without being sexist, consisted of a large majority of men of a certain age – of which I am certainly one!
For the small percentage of the audience who were unfamiliar, a projection screen behind the band acts as a clever introduction to the tracks, with album covers or quirky animations being used alongside the music.
Adding to the celebrations, it was also a happy birthday night for excellent female vocalist Sammi Broad, half way through TUCRS’s UK tour, and the audience were more than happy to join in the vocals as a cake was whisked on.
One of the cutest and most emotional moments of the night was during Sammi’s rendition of Alice Cooper’s, School’s Out, when a local youth drama group took to the stage, dressed in school uniforms to rock and sing along. I was rather hoping this would morph into Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall, but it was not to be, although the kids did get another appearance after the break, and the biggest cheer of the night!
Other stand out moments include Andy Park’s sublime double necked-guitar duet with Bradshaw on Hotel California, and a brilliantly arranged John Mills’, Music (Is my First Love), which played the first half out perfectly and brought out the best of the vocal ranges of Broad and Bridgeman. Likewise after the interval, the pair made a great Meatloaf and Cher combination on Dead Ringers.
Whilst this inevitably plays a bit formulaic and in these woke times did lack a bit of edge, there can be no doubting the quality and the professionalism of the musicians lined up here, or their love for the job they do. On the plus side this is a show that the whole family can enjoy, and it is certainly a wonderful introduction to it for the youth of today. The danger, the devil worship and the wanton sexiness of the greatest musical era there ever was may be missing, but the music remains – and oh boy, it is well worth hearing live just one more time!
Reviewer: Greg Holstead
Reviewed: 25th May 2025
North West End UK Rating:
Running time – 2hr 30Mins (with interval)
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