REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Rock for Heroes
Cliffs Pavilion
January 9th 2020
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Rock for Heroes
Cliffs Pavilion
January 9th 2020
A night of fund and roof raising at the Cliffs Pavilion
Following on from their successful three years of touring, the incredible Total Productions, Rock for Heroes is back on the road in support of the armed forces charity, Help for Heroes. The band playing to a packed house, got off to a great start with a rocking National Anthem, where unsurprisingly, nobody stood up. They then launched into a rousing rendition of Status Quo’s Rocking All over the World, and Sweet Caroline. This started the lead singer, Will Norton dancing energetically around the stage playing air guitar, which continued through the night. In fact he was never still.
On the stage were two sylphs, Georgia Norton and Eloise Jane, in tight clothes and big boots, high kicking and rocking and rolling. I thought they were there for eye candy, but realised later that they had their own star turns, and weren’t just backing singers.
There was some scintillating guitar work by Luke Britnell and Phil Hawkins which blew everyone away, as song after song followed. We had Dire Straits, Phil Collins, Toto, Journey, and Starship. There was even a rousing rendition of the Eagles’ Hotel California. I was surprised for all the energy and the electric guitar work on stage that although the audience were obviously enjoying the show they were very restrained. However, there were a few whoops and responses when Phil Hawkins started his happy, chappy chat. The first half ended on a serious note, with Phil talking about who the real heroes were, and ended with the Bowie song Heroes.
On the stage were two sylphs, Georgia Norton and Eloise Jane, in tight clothes and big boots, high kicking and rocking and rolling. I thought they were there for eye candy, but realised later that they had their own star turns, and weren’t just backing singers.
There was some scintillating guitar work by Luke Britnell and Phil Hawkins which blew everyone away, as song after song followed. We had Dire Straits, Phil Collins, Toto, Journey, and Starship. There was even a rousing rendition of the Eagles’ Hotel California. I was surprised for all the energy and the electric guitar work on stage that although the audience were obviously enjoying the show they were very restrained. However, there were a few whoops and responses when Phil Hawkins started his happy, chappy chat. The first half ended on a serious note, with Phil talking about who the real heroes were, and ended with the Bowie song Heroes.
The band were an eclectic mix, the man behind it all, Phil Hawkins was doing a Bruce Springsteen with his short hair and leather bomber jacket, whilst Luke did a Robert Plant with long hair and a Lurex shirt. Meanwhile, bearded Will bopped around the stage in crumpled faded denims as if he’d forgotten to change from his work clothes. The music was fast, energetic and full on. My only criticism is that early on, Will’s vocal was muffled as if there was a sound problem, but this improved by the second half.
Special mention must be made to Paul Finch and the technical team whose laser display and blasts of flames, tailored to the music, and in one fantastic drum solo, echoed the beat. They really set fire to the Cliffs Pavilion, almost literally with blasts of fire. It is amazing the front row didn’t get singed eyebrows.
There was a local connection in that Phil told us his original idea to organise the shows for Help the Heroes, was thought up in a shed in Leigh on Sea. Also, some of the band came from Canvey Island and apparently he first performed on the Cliff’s stage when he was fifteen.
I would have liked to hear more about how the idea developed into the show we now have, but he didn’t enlarge upon it. However, he did tell us that he visited a rehab centre for the injured soldiers in Colchester. He was taken to see all the equipment that the money has enabled them to purchase and met some of the patients.
When the second act started the audience lost their inhibitions and there were old and young standing up and dancing in the aisles, with lots of arm waving and singing along and witty repartee. The singers ran up the aisles, encouraging everyone to join in and for the highly energetic Van Halen number Jump , Will managed an eye watering split jump. Phil had the audience in the palm of his hand joking about people donating money to request songs and that the band would ruin them. Of course they didn’t.
Special mention must be made to Paul Finch and the technical team whose laser display and blasts of flames, tailored to the music, and in one fantastic drum solo, echoed the beat. They really set fire to the Cliffs Pavilion, almost literally with blasts of fire. It is amazing the front row didn’t get singed eyebrows.
There was a local connection in that Phil told us his original idea to organise the shows for Help the Heroes, was thought up in a shed in Leigh on Sea. Also, some of the band came from Canvey Island and apparently he first performed on the Cliff’s stage when he was fifteen.
I would have liked to hear more about how the idea developed into the show we now have, but he didn’t enlarge upon it. However, he did tell us that he visited a rehab centre for the injured soldiers in Colchester. He was taken to see all the equipment that the money has enabled them to purchase and met some of the patients.
When the second act started the audience lost their inhibitions and there were old and young standing up and dancing in the aisles, with lots of arm waving and singing along and witty repartee. The singers ran up the aisles, encouraging everyone to join in and for the highly energetic Van Halen number Jump , Will managed an eye watering split jump. Phil had the audience in the palm of his hand joking about people donating money to request songs and that the band would ruin them. Of course they didn’t.
There was AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Kenny Loggins’ Footloose, Europe‘s Final Countdown and the girls came into their own with Sweet Child of Mine and We Built this City on Rock and Roll. The show ended with Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and We are the Champions. I would have liked a few slower rock ballads to break it up a little more as it was full on, and the band never slowed their high energy performance.
However, by the end the audience were rocking and rolling in the aisles, never wanting it to end. It was a highly charged show; no one on stage was still for a minute. It was a show of great singing, and comedy chat and the audience loved it.
There are 200 shows booked in the UK and the band has already raised thousands of pounds for the charity. The aim is to raise £2.5 million.
If you like full on, highly charged rock music this is the show for you, it is for a great cause and highly entertaining.
For the rest of the tour dates see https://www.totalproductions.co.uk/rock-for-heroes
Review – Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
However, by the end the audience were rocking and rolling in the aisles, never wanting it to end. It was a highly charged show; no one on stage was still for a minute. It was a show of great singing, and comedy chat and the audience loved it.
There are 200 shows booked in the UK and the band has already raised thousands of pounds for the charity. The aim is to raise £2.5 million.
If you like full on, highly charged rock music this is the show for you, it is for a great cause and highly entertaining.
For the rest of the tour dates see https://www.totalproductions.co.uk/rock-for-heroes
Review – Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Check out our photos of the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend show from our fab photographer, Clarissa Debenham/Film Free Photography
All images below are the exclusive property of Southend Theatre Scene and Film Free Photography by Clarissa Debenham and may not be reproduced, copied, stored, downloaded or altered in any way without permission. If you are interested Clarissa's photography please get in touch by clicking the above link.
All images below are the exclusive property of Southend Theatre Scene and Film Free Photography by Clarissa Debenham and may not be reproduced, copied, stored, downloaded or altered in any way without permission. If you are interested Clarissa's photography please get in touch by clicking the above link.
INTERVIEW WITH FRONT MEN WILL AND PHIL of
Rock For Heroes,
fundraising in support of Help for Heroes
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
January 9th 2020
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Following on from their hugely successful first years of touring, building an almost cult following, the incredible Rock for Heroes is back on the road for 2020; bringing the perfect combination of your favourite Rock & Pop artists, fundraising in support of the fantastic Help for Heroes.
They will be collecting for this amazing cause, after every show. Their aim is to raise 2.5 million (it’s a long plan!!). Performed by a full live rock band and superb singers, complete with brilliant personalities & comedy value this really is a night out unlike any other. |
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With music from artists such as Queen, The Eagles, David Bowie, Van Halen, Toto, Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Dire Straits & so many more. You won’t see a bad wig here, this isn’t a tribute act this is simply paying tribute, the best way we can to the legends in music. Escape the 9 to 5 and let your hair down with the Rock For Heroes Family!!
Book your tickets today & be part of Rock For Heroes – Music, Laughter & A Rockin’ Night Out!
Book your tickets today & be part of Rock For Heroes – Music, Laughter & A Rockin’ Night Out!
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Venue: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Date & Time: January 9th 2020 at 8.00pm Ticket Prices: From £22.50 Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk Box Office: 01702 351 135 |