Review: Uriah Heep – The Magicians Farewell

Support: April Wine, Tyketto

London Palladium ( February 26^th, 2025)

Reviewer / Photographer: Phil Honley

I grew up listening to Uriah Heep and to be completely honest, I could have provided a complete track listings on their first seven studio albums before recollecting the periodic table from chemistry lessons. I would have had the thumping rhythm of ‘Gypsy‘ going through my head whilst sitting for my Chemistry CSE…..say no more. I can even remember the feeling of euphoria I had when Uriah Heep released ‘Wonderworld‘ and there he was Dave Byron posing on his plinth wearing the same pair of platforms, remember them ?, as I had.

Before Uriah Heep take to the stage and continue celebrating the bands fifty five years in the business things kick off at a very respectable and precise time of 6:55. Early start allows for each of the two opening acts to deliver a reasonable forty five minute set. First up was Tyketto who I had seen on a number of occasions and it is always a wonder what Danny Vaughn’s secret is and why has life been so unfair to me when it came to growing old gracefully…..

There are not many empty seats for the openers on what is a complete sell out and Tyketto gave us a tight seven song set.

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Tyketto Set List:

1. Rescue Me
2. Wings
3. Burning Down Inside
4. Strength In Numbers
5. Lay Your Body Down
6. Standing Alone
7. Forever Young

Unlike Tyketto who are very regular visitors to our shores, this was April Wine’s first appearance in London since they last ventured from Halifax, Nova Scotia and appeared at The Hammersmith Odeon in 1981.

Myles Goodwin was the front man for 42 years until he sadly passed away in 2023 but Marc Parent who took up lead vocal and guitar duties in 2023 was more than capable of delivering what I can only asume were classic April Wine favourites. Richard Lanthier and Roy “Nip” Nichol on bass and drums repectively are relatively new to the fold but Brian Greenway on guitar and vocals has been with the band since 1977 and the only current member who was present in 1981 when they last toured the UK.

I have to confess I am not up to speed with these guys, in fact apart from the name being familiar and hearing the odd track here and there, I know nothing. Remarkable really as they have been around since 1969, a back catalogue of some sixteen studio albums and nearly as many live albums. Having said that I really enjoyed their set. The penultimate number and highlight for me was an excellent cover of Lorence Hud’s ‘Sign Of The Gypsy Queen‘.

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April Wine Setlist:

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 (Lorence Hud Cover)

Roller

Time was soon upon us and Uriah Heep, entering their 56th year, hit the stage with a very impressive back drop symbolising the Magician leaving us. The band has released 25 studio albums with Dave Byron providing memorable vocals on the classic albums released between 1969 and 1976. John Lawton filled the void on vocals for a time but it just wasn’t the same until Canadian Bernie Shaw became a permanent fixture on vocals in 1986. The only original member, guitarist Mick Box looking good at 77, and showing no signs of slowing down after 56 years service.

Uriah Heep in its current form still managed to send tingles up my spine with a nostalgic ninety minute set. Phil Lanzon (Keys), Russell Gilbrook (Drums) and Dave Rimmer (Bass) created the force that was a big feature of the band during it’s formative years.

Three numbers from the 1972 album referenced on this tour were included in the night’s set and the rendition of the title track, ‘Magicians Birthday‘, was excellent with Mick Box given licence to give us a magical trademark solo accompanied by Russell Gilbrook on drums. Gilbrook had previously given us a solo during ‘Free ‘n’ Easy‘.

‘Gypsy‘ followed which as Mr Box confirmed was the very first song he wrote for the band for 1970 debut album …’Very ‘Eavy …Very ‘Umble‘. ‘Gypsy‘ segued beautifuly into ‘July Morning‘.

An outstanding evening and it will indeed be sad if, like the tour suggests, is the last chance we get to see them. If this is so they left us on a real high.

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Uriah Heep Setlist:

1. Grazed By Heaven
2. Save Me Tonight
3. Overload
4. Shadows Of Grief
5. Stealin’
6. Hurricane
7. The Wizard
8. Sweet Lorraine
9. Hail The Sunrise
10. Free ‘n’ Easy
11. The Magicians Birthday
12. Gypsy
13. July Morning

Encore

1. Sunrise
2. Easy Livin’

This is a review so I feel the venue deserves special mention as it was exemplary in many ways. Firstly, full stage times and everything you needed to know in order to enjoy your evening fully was available online first thing on the day, as soon as you arrived at the concert you received kind instruction on which entrance to use, the stage times were adhered to, the sound quality was excellent and they even had uniformed members of staff who would happily deliver your drinks to your seat…..how good is that?

©All photographs are copyright of Phil Honley – Gigsnapz. They may not be altered or used without express permission.