Legendary British hard rockers Uriah Heep have come a long way since 1969, but after fifty-five years of touring the band have decided to hang up their instruments and call it a day – well almost – The farewell tour is entitled ‘The Magician's Farewell’ and is a celebration of their 55th anniversary in the business. The tour started in February 2025 and will last for two or three years. Going forward, founding member and mainstay Mick Box has said the band will probably continue to play one off gigs and festivals. Their seven date UK tour kicked off in Birmingham on the 19th of February with their London Palladium performance being the penultimate gig on Wednesday 26th.

The support for the evenings musical feast were American hard rockers Tyketto and Canadian rockers April Wine. Tyketto were formed in 1987 by former Waysted vocalist Danny Vaughn alongside Brooke St. James (guitar), Jimi Kennedy (bass) and Michael Clayton (drums). To date they have released five studio albums including ‘Don't Come Easy’ (1991), ‘Strength in Numbers’ (1994), ‘Shine’ (1995), ‘Dig in Deep’ (2012) and ‘Reach’ (2016). The current lineup features founder Danny Vaughn - lead vocals, acoustic guitars, harmonica, percussion (1987-1995, 2004, 2007, 2008-present), Ged Rylands – keyboards, backing vocals (2012-present), Chris Childs - bass guitar, backing vocals (2014-2017, 2023-present), Johnny Dee - drums, backing vocals (2023-present) and Harry Scott Elliott - lead guitar (2023-present). Their frenetically strong set featured mainly tracks from their debut album ‘Don't Come Easy’ plus a couple from later albums, namely ‘Reach’, ‘Wings’, ‘Burning Down Inside’, ‘Strength in Numbers’, ‘Lay Your Body Down’, ‘Standing Alone’ and ‘Forever Young’. A great opening performance set the bar high.

After a short break it was time for April Wine to entertain us. Here on a rare visit to the UK, their first for forty years I believe! April Wine was formed in 1969 by Canadian singer-guitarist-songwriter Myles Goodwyn who fronted the band until his death in 2023. The band recorded and released their self-titled debut album ‘April Wine’ in 1971, going on to release a further fifteen studio albums and ten live albums since. Around nineteen musicians have come and gone over the years with the current lineup featuring long-time member Brian Greenway - guitar, vocals (1977-1986, 1992-present), Richard Lanthier - bass, vocals (2011-present), Roy Nichol - drums, vocals (2012-present) and Marc Parent - lead vocals, guitar (2023-present). Their forty-five-minute set featured ten songs mainly from their late 70s, early 80s commercial peak including ‘I Like to Rock’, ‘All Over Town’, ‘Say Hello’, ‘Before the Dawn’, ‘Crash and Burn’, ‘Big City Girls’, ‘Just Between You and Me’, ‘Oowatanite’, ‘Sign of the Gypsy Queen’ and ‘Roller’. Less frenetically heavy than Tyketto, more a laid-back good time Rock ’n’ roll vibe. However, they did eventually hit a sizeable stride towards the end of their set. Perhaps a switch in the billing might have worked better here as Tyketto went down a storm.

After another twenty-minute break the time had come for Uriah Heep to blow our minds with their own unique spellbinding magical serving. The band formed in London in 1969 by lead and rhythm guitarist Mick Box and vocalist David Byron. The band's origins go back to 1967 when guitarist Mick Box formed a band called Hogwash, vocalist David Byron joined soon after and they changed their name to Spice, by 1969 they decided to change the name to Uriah Heep after the fictional character created by Charles Dickens in his novel David Copperfield. In 1970 keyboardists Ken Hensley joined and the Uriah Heep sound began to take shape. Over the course of their fifty-five-year career, Uriah Heep have released twenty-five studio albums, eighteen live albums, and have had around twenty-five band members passing through the ranks at one time or another. The current lineup features founder and only original member Mick Box - guitar, backing vocals (1969-present), Phil Lanzon - keyboards, backing vocals (1986-present), Bernie Shaw - lead vocals (1986-present), Russell Gilbrook - drums (2007-present) and Dave Rimmer - bass guitar, backing vocals (2013-present).

Wasting no time the band launched into 'Grazed by Heaven' from the 2018 ‘Living the Dream' album. A blazingly vigorous rocker with a thunderously heavy groove, lashings of Hammond organ and expressively dramatic vocals from Shaw, who proceeded to whip the crowd into a right rocking frenzy with his charismatic stage presence! It was clear to see that the band were on fine form and up for the challenge. Straight on to a newer song from the 2023 ‘Chaos & Colour’ album in the form of ‘Save Me Tonight’ written by bassist Dave Rimmer. Full of irresistible hook lines and weaving melodies. The last couple of studio album releases have harked back to the original Heep sound and have proven to be worthy additions to their vast catalogue. Box did hint on stage that the band might well record another album at some point in the future. Is this really the farewell tour? Only time will tell.

Another album worthy of note from this latter period Heep is ‘Wake the Sleeper’ from 2008. From that album they played the hard driving ‘Overload’. A first-rate performance from these masters of Rock, with catchy hooks and infectious riffs abound. Kudos must go to Russell Gilbrook for his incredible powerhouse drumming throughout the set, as the band delved further back in time to 1971 for the intrepidly gritty ‘Shadows of Grief’ from the ‘Look at Yourself’ album. The repeating dark and brooding descending riff sent shivers down the spine. Intensely raw and delectably juicy! Hot stepping on a couple years to 1973 for the valorously plucky ‘Stealin'’ from the ‘Sweet Freedom’ album. A lively foot stomping boogie had us all bopping along. It was then back to the 2023 ‘Chaos & Colour’ album for the vehemently audacious ‘Hurricane’ penned by Gilbrook. There was no let-up in the energy levels, foot to the floor all the way. A big shout out must go Bernie Shaw for his passionately valiant vocal delivery and unwavering enthusiasm throughout the performance.

Quietening proceedings down came the acoustically driven ‘The Wizard’ from one of the band’s most popular and best loved albums 'Demons and Wizards' from 1972. A magically absorbing performance delighted the gathered masses before it was on to ‘The Magician's Birthday’ album from the same year for the fearlessly feisty ‘Sweet Lorraine’. A vivaciously joyous performance, with much singing from the jubilantly zealous crowd of admirers.

Good to see the John Lawton fronted era represented here with the throbbingly pulsating ‘Free 'n' Easy’ from the excellent 1977 ‘Innocent Victim’ album. One of Heep’s best songs from their late 70s period, it’s a total banger of a tune with a seductively catchy chorus and succulently punchy riff. Heading back to the ‘The Magician's Birthday’ album, we were in for a special treat with a complete performance of the lusciously epic title track. Without doubt a massive highlight of the evening that saw Box get to shine with his dazzlingly proficient guitar soloing. His transfixingly entrancing Wah-wah drenched guitar phrases soared into the stratosphere and hypnotised our already blown minds. If this is the last time, I get to see Uriah Heep live then I feel very blessed to be present to witness this exceptional live rendition of an absolute classic.

Now into the final furlong of the show, with a few more heavy hitting bangers, in the shape of the transcendentally soaring ‘Gypsy’ from the 1970 '...Very 'Eavy…Very 'Umble' debut album. This gargantuan mind-blowing song mesmerised our senses and intoxicated our brains. Once again, Box got to stretch out and stun us all with his dexterous shredding, hypnotising us with his effervescent virtuosity and casting magic spells with his expressive hand twirls and gestures whilst soloing as though his life depended on it! For the main set finale, we were treated to the sublimely majestic 'July Morning' from the 1971 'Look at Yourself' album which suitably transported us to another dimension of consciousness. A powerfully uplifting and profoundly earnest performance!

After a thunderous ovation the boys returned to the stage to deliver a two-song encore in the form of the luminously sparkling 'Sunrise' from the 1972 masterpiece 'The Magician's Birthday' album. Indeed, a bracingly animated performance, from an unrelenting band still on top of their game. After much hollering from the devoted followers, it was time for the last song of the night, the only one it could be, the zealously spiritous 'Easy Livin'' from the 1972 'Demons and Wizards' album. Cue an irrepressibly rousing performance that had everyone head banging and singing along. It is safe to say the mighty Heep nailed it with precision. An invigoratingly sizzling concert from start to finish – it’s fair to say we had a ball!

Steven C. Gilbert

Photos: Les Linyard