NSGs David Lancaster shares a special treat with us. His review of the city’s first large venues Covid safe gig with local legends Cast at Grand Central Hall! Is it possible that we have found a solution and way back to seeing live music?

It’s a cold December afternoon as I make my way down Renshaw St to Grand Central Hall, and as I get there and see the crowd queuing outside the venue , it suddenly dawns on me that I really am going to a gig at a real music venue today. Okay, so this is a special “socially distanced” gig , holding just 2000 people who will all be seated, but still it’s a gig and as I talk to the door staff who are doing a great job with track and trace, I notice how happy everybody seems, people have dressed up for the occasion and I can feel an excitement already building. 

So onto the show, and for those who have never been to Grand Central before, I urge you to take in a show there, it’s a lovely old venue and it’s a bit like stepping back in time . 

In my opinion Cast are the elder statesmen of the scouse music scene now and it could be said that they are even a “National Treasure” to “The People’s Republic of Liverpool”. When the lads do take to the stage John Power thanks everyone for coming and says that it’s good to see us all , explaining that the band haven’t played live for 12 months now since they played their O2 Academy show in the city , he says it’s all been a bit strange and a bit mad but says he’s excited to be playing for us today.

The band kick off with “Four Walls”, and although this is one of Cast’s early songs, as JP sings ” Will I ever get out of here, Will I ever push down my fear “, I realise that this songs meaning could apply to the Covid isolation feeling that we’ve all been experiencing for most of 2020, the crowd love it, a big cheer goes up and i feel we are all happy to be watching one of our favourite bands playing in front of us again and it feels boss !!!

John Power (Credit: Warren Millar)

It really is a set of greatest hits at this matinee show, the band carry on working through their repertoire and hit us with “Sandstorm”, it dawns on me that Skin, John and Jay all have beards and I chuckle to myself thinking that they could be “The 3 wisemen” at this festive gig , although I’m not sure who the clean shaven Keith is, if this really is a “Nativity” gig , he looks super happy behind his kit though. “Sandstorm” really does go down a storm and the band are sounding as tight as ever .

“Fine Time ” is next and the crowd are loving it , it’s great to see plazzy glasses being held aloft again after all this time.

Into “I’m So Lonely” and again , I’m thinking this song relates to the current situation, although JP tells us he thinks it’s the closest thing the band has to a Christmas song . 

Cast (Credit: Warren Millar)

The lads work through “Live The Dream” , “Walkaway” and “Beat Mama”, which has a real groove and is a great live song , even more plazzy glasses are in the air now .

Skin plays a spangly golden coloured Fender that under the stage lights looks a bit like tinsel, and I’m feeling festive for the first time this year as John tells us we have to fly !!!

 “Flying” takes the show up another level, and then we get “Guiding Star”, Keith is still smiling, Jay’s bass is throbbing and people are up out of their seats .

“Free Me” ends with a little jam and for me , this is my favourite thing about any Cast show, watching them vibe off each other, a truly amazing live band . 

The lads leave us and the crowd shout “more, more , more ” ,and a few minutes later the band duly oblige, they close with “History”, a personal favourite of mine , Skin’s finger tapping needs to be seen to be believed on this song ,Cast show their class again at the end with another “improv jam” that segues into “Alright”, people are out of their seats again, arms in the air, and the show ends with a well deserved standing ovation. 

JP wishes us all a Merry Christmas and tells us to “be good, be happy, and be tolerant! “

John Power (Credit: Warren Millar)

So that’s it, the band did it, a socially distanced special comeback gig, what a success, all 4 of the lads deserve great credit here for getting out and doing this, some people next to me ask why more bands aren’t doing the same and we agree that this could definitely be the way for shows to go ahead in our city over the next 6 months or so ,the whole event was very safe,very well controlled and very enjoyable.

A whole heap of praise has to go to Mat at Glaswerk and everyone at Grand Central , thanks guys I’m looking forward to another gig very soon hopefully. Congratulations and Merry Christmas.

The evening support act was the ever talented Steve Pilgrim.

For more shows and upcoming gigs at Grand Central Hall you can follow Glasswerk on fb below in pink for more info.

Glasswerk

Image credit and copyright Warren Millar.