Graham Bonnet makes a welcome return to the North East for an intimate show at the O2 Academy.

With a career spanning almost 50 years, Graham Bonnet walks the Newcastle rock fraternity down memory lane. Bonnet’s show tonight is very much a greatest hits set featuring tracks from his time with Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, and Alcatraz.

He opened the show with a couple of Rainbow classics from the Down To Earth album in the shape of “Eyes of the World” and “All Night Long.” The crowd accompanied Bonnet, singing along with him.

Having worked with a veritable “who’s who” of the rock world throughout his career, it is of no surprise that the calibre of his current touring band is also top class. Conrado Pesinato effortlessly grapples with guitar riffs from the likes of Blackmore, Vai, Schenker, and Malmsteen. Pesinato’s playing is impressive throughout. He has great flare and even channels Mr. Hendrix himself at one point by playing with his teeth. The band’s rhythm section, Beth-Ami Heavenstone (bass) and Mark Zonder (drums), hold down a tight groove. When you put this lineup alongside one of the most powerful voices in rock, you’ve got a formidable array of talent on display.

Throughout the course of the evening, Bonnet delivers some great stories and anecdotes from his days with some of rock’s finest bands. Despite the emphasis on his classic cuts in the setlist, he still makes time to play a new track titled “Mirror Lies” to which Bonnet is also featured on rhythm guitar.

Bonnet takes us back to the very start with “Only One Woman” from his early days with The Marbles. The piece was written by Robin and Maurice Gibb of The Beegees.

The band close their set with the classic, “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Lost In Hollywood,” leaving the audience wanting more. Tonight we witnessed a superb set from one of rock music’s true legends. Long may he continue!

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About The Author

Adam Kennedy is an experienced music photographer based in northeast England. He has been shooting concerts for several years, predominantly with the band Vintage Trouble. In 2013, he was one of their tour photographers, covering the UK and Ireland tour including the headline shows and as opening act for The Who. As an accomplished concert photographer, Adam's work has been featured in print such as, Classic Rock Blues Magazine, Guitarist Magazine, Blues in Britain magazine, broadcast on the MDA Telethon on ABC Television in the US, used in billboard advertising for Renaissance Hotels in the US, and featured online via music blogs such as Uber Rock and Guitar Planet. He is also the official photographer at Newcastle Rock and Blues Club.