Graham Bonnet makes a welcome return to the North East of England for an intimate show at Trillians in Newcastle.

Having a music legend such as Graham Bonnet perform in Newcastle’s favourite rock bar, it goes without saying that the room is packed to capacity tonight. Fans only inches from the stage during this up close and personal concert with the legendary voice of Rainbow, Alcatraz and the Michael Schenker Group. Subsequently, it doesn’t take long for things to get hot and sweaty inside the room this evening.

British New Wave of Classic Rock outfits Gin Annie and Hollowstar certainly win over a whole new raft of fans on Tyneside during their impressive opening sets early in the evening. Of course, Hollowstar has been gaining frequent airplay on the likes of Planet Rock and Radio 2 thanks to their current single “All I Gotta Say” and on the strength of this appearance alone it’s easy to understand why. Hollowstar will be back out on the road across the UK later this year as support to the Dan Reed Network and are not to be missed.

As The Graham Bonnet Band hits the stage, from the top of the show they immediately wheel out a pair of huge anthems in the shape of the unmistakable “Night Games” and the hard rocking “All Night Long”. Bonnet is in fine voice this evening, and the Geordie faithful join him throughout whilst hanging on every word of these timeless classics. Tonight’s show is very much a retrospective look back at Graham Bonnet’s career spanning over the last fifty years.

The Graham Bonnet Band is an outfit of the highest calibre. The group consists of long-standing bass player Beth-Ami Heavenstone, former Alcatraz bandmate and keyboard player Jimmy Waldo, drummer Mark Benquechea along with new recruit Kurt James. Collectively the five-piece comes together seamlessly and effortlessly all night long.

Watching Kurt James on stage you would find it hard to believe that the former Stryper guitarist has only been playing with the group for just a couple of months. His blistering fretwork, skill and flare light up the stage all night long. James also takes centre stage mid-set during a searing guitar solo.

Bonnet delivers a bountiful number of fan favourites from his illustrious career that includes the likes of  MSG’s “Desert Song” and “Assault Attack” along with Alcatraz’s “Islands In The Sun”.

The Graham Bonnet Band recently released their new album Meanwhile, Back In The Garage over the course of the summer and subsequently they take the opportunity to showcase a few tracks from it. This includes recent single “Livin’ In Suspicion” and “Long Island Tea”.

Of course, the set would not be complete without “Since You’ve Been Gone”. The group closes out the night with the incredibly infectious “Lost In Hollywood” and leaves the crowd wanting more.

On the strength of tonight’s performance it’s fair to say that at the age of 70, Graham Bonnet is still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down.

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Graham Bonnet
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Event Date: 13-Aug-2018

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.