37 years in the making, Deacon Blue at Kirstenbosch 22/2/2024 – BLISS

The old cliche wine gets better with age, but with a band this could be a poisoned chalice. I waited 37 years to see Deacon Blue, going through my mind is:  Coming to SA to get a cheque, to rehearse for the European tour, Bucket list tick for the act and maybe we can be self indulgent.

My head spinning  with all the thoughts and this was a band that I grew up with.

Have every album, even the B sides, I knew about the mega album deal with record co back in the day, think it was an 11 album deal, worked for the record co that released the albums  and it was my moms 102 birthday on the day of the show.

I played those albums none stop at home.

The 1st album Raintown is as good as Christopher Cross album, Christopher Cross that won all those Grammy Awards.

Raintown (out in 1987 ) filled with classics, Raintown, Loaded, Chocolate Girl, Dignity.…No pressure then. 

Now lets be blunt – WORLD CLASS Deacon Blue pitched up and knocked it out the park.

A well-oiled slick machine, with a beautiful set list, all the hits, no rearranging and adding middle eights and doing them half time, playing the songs the way the audience wanted them, pure bliss. 

The park was crammed – Sold out. The show ended with the Warren Zevon song – “Keep me in your heart”, an inspired choice.

Deacon Blue are the sum of the parts, yes the band is:

• Ricky Ross – lead vocals, piano

• James Prime – keyboards, piano

• Lorraine McIntosh – backing and lead vocals, percussion

• Dougie Vipond – drums, percussion

• Gregor Philp – guitar

• Lewis Gordon – bass

Ricky and Lorraine are the focal point In any discussion, but all the players compliment each other, all playing their role to give us the audience the sound we crave.

Relive the live experience by listening to this live recording from Glasgow Barrowlands – and thats what Kirstenbosch was like, a  beautiful wind still sun kissed evening. 

The promoters Breakout Events  headed up by Damon Forbes  needs to be complimented an inspired choice to bring to SA and Kirstenbosch Deacon Blue.

The ticket pricing was good, but I would like to see younger acts open, one thinks of Dylan Red who fits the mould of Deacon Blue, did we really need to see Watershed again? Not even a mention on their insta page that they playing /played with DB at Kirstenbosch.  

Deacon Blue we will keep you in our hearts.

Thank you 

Eleven out of ten.