Glenn Hughes – Islington Academy 2010

artist website

venue

buy

Before devoting his attention to new band Black Country Communion, who made their live debut in London two weeks prior, ex-Deep Purple legend Glenn Hughes arrived in London half-way through his last solo tour for some time.

Although he hasn’t released a new album since the last solo tour, the impending absence from the live scene as a solo act was enough to bring the fans out to an all-but-sold-out Islintgon Academy, and Hughes is currently singing better than he has for a number of years. His involvement with BCC seems to have rejuvenated him, as his appearance with Heaven & Hell at the High Voltage Festival in June, and the secret BCC show have indicated.

His solo band has also been refreshed, and although under-used keyboard player Anders Olinder looked thoroughly bored throughout, the lively combination of guitarist Søren Anderson and drummer Pontus Engborg gave Hughes a solid power trio arrangement to work with.

The set wasn’t quite as interesting as it could have been and the prime culprit was Trapeze standard Medusa. Hughes has recorded a new version of this on BCC’s debut album Black Country and this, he claimed, was the reason including it in his solo set could not be accused of “living in the past”, or similar clichés. In reality, seeing as BCC will be playing it at their shows, its inclusion was somewhat redundant, taking the place of something fans won’t get to hear elsewhere.

A few bemoaned the omission of Deep Purple classics Stormbringer and Mistreated, but they have been played a lot over Hughes recent album tours, so dropping them for the likes of Addiction and Hughes/Thrall tracks Muscle And Blood and Keepin’ Time made the set more interesting than it would have been with those ever-presents included, albeit perhaps with less prospect for widespread sing-along.

Regardless of specific song selection issues, Glenn’s performance was superb. One of his best in recent years, in fact. His return as a solo artist after recording a second BCC album in January and touring heavily, will be fully welcomed by fans on this evidence.

“ singing better than he has for a number of years ”

Setlist: Muscle And Blood / Touch My Life / Orion / Sail Away / Medusa / You Kill Me / Can’t Stop The Flood / Crave / Don’t Let Me Bleed / Keepin’ Time / Steppin’ On / Soul Mover // Addiction / Burn

Photo(s): Andy Lye

Written by Andy Lye
More: Gigs, Hard Rock, Glenn Hughes