Damian Wilson 1865 Southampton
Live music in the UK. It's back.
It has been so missed for the last 15 months but here socially distanced sat at tables with no masks whilst sat it has returned and for those in attendance what a night.
Greeted by Damian at the door for a chat ( if only they all did that!) and he has never been busier with the new Arena album and a new solo album both due before the end of 2021.
The crowd had come from all corners of the UK and we were treated to a masterclass in vocals with plenty of chat and laughter thrown in too.
With thanks to Setlist.fm here is what we had for the next 2 hours with a raffle and auction to raise funds for the club who need every penny to carry on.
- Set 1
- (Damian Wilson & Adam Wakeman cover)
- (with Paul Jude Wilson)
- (Brinsley Schwarz cover)
- (Claude‐Michel Schönberg cover)
- Set 2
- (with Paul Jude Wilson) (Joined by brothers Paul Jude and Justin Wilson)
- (with Paul Jude Wilson) (Joined by brothers Paul Jude, Justin and Jamie Wilson)
- (Iron Maiden cover)
- (with Paul Jude Wilson) (Joined by brothers Paul Jude and Justin Wilson)
- (with Paul Jude Wilson) (Joined by brothers Paul Jude and Justin Wilson)
- (Hugh Roberton cover) (with Paul Jude Wilson) (Joined by brothers Paul Jude, Justin and Jamie Wilson)
- (Damian Wilson & Adam Wakeman cover)
Armed with just an acoustic guitar Damian sounded incredible. He said being so busy he has never sounded better and he was right. Tone,range and what I love his clarity of word is stunning you can hear it all.
It was all a highlight after this long lay off Written In Anger and Thrill Me early in the set.The later was the first venture onto the stage for Paul Jude Wilson for backing vocals and they were joined at various points by Justin and Jamie Wilson too with much hilarity that the really should have rehearsed !!!
I love the moment when live music really gets you.The moment the hairs stand up on the back of your neck and for this show it was as Damian put his guitar down and acapella he sang from his time on Les Miserables Bring Him Home. Words fail me you had to be there. Some of the held notes showed what a talent he is.World class.
After a break with Damian ringmaster for the raffle and auction we started with a breath taking Disciple before more backing vocals from the family.
The Evil That Men Do saw us all singing along with real joy at being back and a few voices maybe not up to Damian's standard !!
Homegrown saw fists throw into the air and more singing from all before the Mingulay Boat Song saw the family unsure of lyrics and order to great hilarity.
Standing alone again for Seek For Adventure and Thank You Damian sounded as good after 2 hours as he had at the beginning and cheers went up into the night sky as he took a bow.
Hopefully the full on rock experience will return shortly but for this night after such a long time away this was perfect.
