Blog Post
STATUS QUO - DREAMLAND MARGATE THURSDAY 15TH AUGUST 2024
Reviewed by Laura DQ • Aug 20, 2024
As a born and raised Margate gal, it’s both exciting and frustrating to see the town attracting some big names. Frustrating because, in my 26 years of residence, the live music scene consisted of the occasional tribute band passing through the now closed Winter Gardens. But since I’ve moved away, Margate has become increasingly popular, the opening of the Turner Centre and re-opening of amusement park Dreamland drawing more visitors to a town that will always have a special place in my heart. Dreamland now doubles up as a music venue, with two small indoor stages and a large, outdoor space capable of hosting some 6500 people. It’s on this outdoor stage that in recent years I’ve been able to see Biffy Clyro and Queens of the Stone Age just minutes from my childhood home. Tonight, it’s rock and roll legends Status Quo, returning to the venue after their debut here 52 years ago.
Of course, the band is somewhat different now, the loss of Rick Parfitt in 2016 leaving some to question whether Quo should continue. But eight years on, it’s clear that Francis Rossi made the right decision in keeping alive the band that has been such a significant part of his life. Whatever your view, people still want to hear these songs. The venue is encouragingly busy, a real mix of generations, perhaps unsurprising given the band has endured for more than 60 years and had more chart hits in the UK than any other band. It’s an incredible achievement, and strange to me that the band are still at times scoffed at by rock fans who don’t really know what they’re talking about. Yes, there have been missteps over the years (and I don’t believe Marguerita Time was one of them!), but Quo remain a harder rocking proposition than is generally acknowledged.
In keeping with tradition, ‘Caroline’ opens the show, the unmistakeable Quo shuffle kicking the evening into life. To those who complain that all Quo songs sound the same, I would argue that most great bands have a distinct sound - but you don’t hear the same criticism being levelled at AC/DC or Motörhead quite so often. And for fans of Status Quo, it’s that heads down, no-nonsense boogie that really gets us going. Tonight the band sound tight and energised, perhaps invigorated by the injection of relative youth in the form of drummer Leon Cave and guitarist Richie Malone. However, at 75, Francis Rossi is in reliably fine voice, singing as well as he ever has and entertaining the crowd with his between song banter, acknowledging that he “loves [his] own jokes”.
The set-list is joyous in its familiarity; long time bassist John “Rhino” Edwards taking on lead vocals for Parfitt classic ‘Rain’ before Richie Malone steps in for ‘Little Lady’. Both perform admirably, receiving very warm responses from the audience. ‘Softer Ride’, ‘Beginning of the End’ and a crowd pleasing ‘Hold You Back’ follow. We’re then in for an extensive medley which Rossi explains will consist of a few songs we’ll know… and jests that if we don’t we’ve wandered into the wrong gig! Though medleys can be frustrating, chopping much loved songs in half, it makes sense for a band who have so many hits to choose from. It means that we get to hear sections of ‘What You’re Proposing’, ‘Down the Dustpipe’, ‘Railroad’ and ‘Mystery Song’ when in their unabridged form, some would undoubtedly have to be omitted.
As the set hurtles towards its conclusion we’re treated to the uncharacteristic ‘In My Chair’, a song that always feels like it’s threatening to doze off but works all the better for it. ‘In the Army Now’ generates one of the biggest singalongs of the evening, the audience united in shouting “stand up and fight!” at the appropriate moment. Relentless rockers ‘Roll Over Lay Down’ and ‘Down Down’ are as driving and powerful as you remember. And even those of us sitting at the back can’t resist getting on our feet for ‘Whatever You Want’ and ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’, songs that practically demand you get up and play air guitar.
But that’s not quite it, and the encores are pretty special. I'm not expecting to hear 'Don't Waste My Time', but it's here and it's perfect. The fast-paced 'Paper Plane' is next, before the evening concludes with ‘Burning Bridges’, arguably not the band’s best, but certainly one that translates well live, getting everyone bouncing. Rumour has it that this might be the end for Status Quo. But when they’re performing this well, it seems a real shame to stop.
SETLIST
Caroline/Rain/Little Lady/Softer Ride/Beginning of the End/Hold You Back/What You’re Proposing/Down the Dustpipe/Something ‘bout You Baby I Like/Wild Side of Life/Rollin’ Home/Railroad/Again and Again/Mystery Song/The Oriental/In My Chair/In The Army Now/Roll Over Lay Down/Down Down/Whatever You Want/Rockin’ All Over the World/Don’t Waste My Time/Paper Plane/Burning Bridges (On and Off and on Again)
