Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter's 1999 UK Tour - Croydon 9th April 1999

The Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Fairfield Halls gig photo 1
Fairfield Halls gig photo 2

There's no new album to promote, but Ian can still pack 'em in. The opening night of the new tour saw Ian playing to a full house and I'm pleased to report he delivered the goods. By all accounts, an album's worth of material is ready but there was no new material tonight - Ian said we can blame the bootleggers for that. But what a set! Packed with oldies but goodies as follows:

  1. Never Trust A Blonde (without Ian - Darrell on vocals)
  2. OBTS
  3. Cleveland Rocks
  4. Lounge Lizard
  5. Standin' In My Light
  6. Just Another Night
  7. All The Way From Memphis
  8. Old Records Never Die
  9. The Moon Upstairs/Rock 'n' Roll Queen
  10. 23A Swan Hill
  11. Resurrection Mary
  12. Ships
  13. Michael Picasso
  14. Bastard
  15. Roll Away The Stone
  16. Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll

First encore:

  1. Honaloochie Boogie
  2. Saturday Gigs

Second encore:

  1. Irene Wilde
  2. ATYD

The band was the same as last time (Darrell Bath guitar, Ian Gibbons keyboards, Paul "Cuddles" Cuddeford guitar, Paul "Trevor" Francis bass), except Steve Holly was on drums instead of Alan Young (who seems to have disappeared). This being the first gig of the tour, Ian apologised for the band being "a bit rusty". Well, you could have fooled me, mate. If this was a rusty performance then later shows in the tour are gonna be very special.

(Adrian Perkins)