When I first saw the Heep in 1985 it was virtually a completely different band compared to what we saw tonight – with only guitarist, Mick Box, remaining from that appearance. What has remained though is consistency in delivering melodic hard rock. Tonight we got many of the classic songs from the early and mid 70s but also material from the coming new album, too. Highlights for me were Traveller in Time, Gypsy, July Morning and what Mick Box introduced as a “happy hippy song” for strumming around campfires: Lady in Black. The new material was very much in the style of 70s era classic Heep (you are not going to buy a new Uriah Heep album if you are looking for something up to the minute and contemporary are you?) and new songs like One Minute fitted in well. They encored with a repeat performance of this new song, followed by Free and Easy and the wonderful Easy Living.

The quality of the musicianship was superb, the vocals were amazing and all in all it was a pretty spectacular gig. It was being filmed so those present may catch a glimpse of themselves on DVD at some point in the future. Koko itself is a great venue. It’s been through many different incarnations over the years and although it’s been sympathetically restored in a way that shows of its Edwardian-era music hall grandeur, it’s done in a way that works really well as a rock venue.

Setlist:
Against the Odds
Overload
Traveller in Time
Sunrise
Stealin’
I’m Ready
Between Two Worlds
Can’t Take That Away
One Minute
Nail on the Head
Into the Wild
Gypsy
Look at Yourself
July Morning
Lady in Black
One Minute
Free ‘n’ Easy
Easy Livin’

http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/

Photo credit: Elise Benjamin