Words & Pictures by Phil Wright – All Rights Reserved
What a pleasure it was to be at the launch of Rick’s ninth studio album, ‘Are We There Yet’, at the iconic Leadmill, in Sheffield, the future of which is sadly threatened by the owners redevelopment plans. [Read more here.]
Rick performed twice on Sunday night, with both shows complete sell outs. This shows just how much he is still top of everyone’s bill, gaining increased popularity over recent years too. I was a fairly short set, with 6 of the 12 song set being tracks from his new LP, being showcased for the first time.
Rick certainly is a brilliant entertainer, giving a cracking performance from the moment he stepped onto the stage to the moment it was all over.
Entering to the main theme from Star Wars, the show started with ‘Together Forever’, everyone’s guilty pleasure from the 80’s. This truly iconic song really got the crowd excited from the very start. He then went on to performing songs from his new album and then treating the crowd to his grand finale, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.
He is a phenomenally busy songwriter, and has been out of the spotlight in past years, however, Rick seems to have been given a ‘second birth’ since Glastonbury 2023. He became everyone’s favourite act after he gifted us with two shows there, one on his own, and the second being a Smith’s tribute with ‘The Blossoms’, which went down an absolute storm.
Rick’s new studio album has a ‘country vibe’ to it and features some amazing new material such as his new single ‘Forever and More’, and ‘Take Me Back To Your Place’.
2024 will see him co-headlining with the brilliant Belinda Carlisle. A must to witness in 2024!
Setlist
Together Forever
Dippin My Feet
Never Gonna Stop
Letting Go
Cry for Help
Whenever You Need Somebody
Golden Hour
Angels on My Side
Forever and More
Never Gonna Give You Up
High Enough
Monkey Sheet, Gravel Dirt
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