Cyndi Lauper

There are few artists in the modern history of Rock and Roll whose careers have been as eventful and ground-breaking as that of Sir Rod Stewart.

It’s the sort of song that makes you realise how wonderful this catalogue really is and the stage is transformed from the colourful spectacle to a dimly lit club to transform the mood. And still seated across the stage Rod reminds us that we’re listening to “Real music” before the Celtic badge and images of their new Aussie manager accompany ‘You’re In My Heart’. It’s all so effortless too, and with a simple “We’ll have one more slow one before we pick up the pace” he’s into that sublime love song ‘Have I Told You Lately’ that sees the guitarist bending those strings and the mandolin returning after an earlier runout with ‘Maggie’. It’s breath-taking and set against a backdrop of US Civil Rights images a real reminder at how little we’ve done over the decades to come together. We’re then invited to drift between decades first to the 80’s for ‘Young Turks’ from Rod’s 1981 album of the same name, in the intro you can see a huge smile on his face before he announces that his beloved Celtic are 2-0 up (against Hearts as it happens). ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ is simply sublime and Rod regales us of the story of he and Ronnie Wood and a couple of bottles of Red nailing the song on the second take. Rod is back to finish the song – it’s a wonderful take and the first of a number of set pieces that allow Rod to change costumes and put his feet up! The amount of love in the room after that is immeasurable! It’s a great rendition that sets the party atmosphere for the evening with violins on fire and Rod swaggering with hand on hips through the song. It’s great to hear the 80’s classics, and we’re treated to ‘Forever Young’ next which is one of tonight’s set pieces. The anticipation in the room for Rod after Cyndi Lauper closed her set on such a high was palpable, you could almost cut the anticipation with a knife. Opening tonight Jon Stevens can’t put a foot wrong and despite a deliciously early 6.30 start he has the half-assembled crowd more than warmed up with a sure-fire set of Noiseworks and INXS classics.