Romeos Daughter & FM Together Again

Together Again

By Stewart Filbey

This was always going to be a special gig for me. Having been given the opportunity to get back into live music since lockdown, the very first band I went back out on the road with was the mighty FM. Atomic Generation was FM’s latest release at the time and we were preparing for a show at the Sheperds Bush Empire where FM were joined by GUN and Dare, it was an all-out classic rock fest, I loved every moment of it. After working with FM, I was recommended to Romeo’s Daughter and from there over the years, my dedication and love for both bands has only grown. After almost 4 years on the road, and having circled the UK several times, we have toured the albums ‘Atomic Generation’, ‘Synchronized’, ‘Thirteen’, ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ from FM and the wonderful ‘Slipstream’ by Romeos Daughter and the re-release of ‘Rapture’.

The latest shows with Romeo’s Daughter have been a different experience as they have now included an acoustic set. This was debuted at The Motorsport Lounge in Llandudno Wales. The Motorsport Lounge is a unique venue, and owners Dave and Sally have welcomed us on many occasions and are fantastic hosts. Set in an industrial estate, the Motorsport Lounge is an intimate venue for music lovers of the local area and is part motor sport museum dedicated to the owners previous hugely successful rally car career and part music venue with a state-of-the-art PA system, large performance area and music memorabilia covering most walls and surfaces – it is a great place for any band to perform.

This would be the stage for the very first Romeo’s Daughter acoustic set. Littered with classics from the albums ‘Delectable’, ‘Rapture’,’ Spin’ and the hugely successful and critically acclaimed debut ‘Romeos Daughter’, we were treated to a feast of nostalgia for the most hardcore of RD fans. With Leigh Matty’s silky vocals, to Craig Joiner’s masterful guitar playing, Andy Welsford on Drums and Steve Drennan showcasing his beautiful new acoustic bass, the stage was set for a very intimate experience.

Track after track rolled off the stage like a warm wave, each track being sung with heart and passion from a back catalogue of music that is so familiar now to so many people and each track was being sung straight back by the fans who have all turned up to this remote little gem of a venue in north Wales.

The set was split into 2 halves, one half a cosy intimate acoustic set filled with classics, new and old and the 2nd part of the set was back to full power! Romeo’s Daughter can quite literally blow the roof off in a heartbeat. Again, mixing classic tracks with songs from the latest album Slipstream,’ Over You’ and ‘Inseparable’ are the very essence of Romeo’s Daughter and completely capture why they have done so well over the years. They turn rock ballads into anthems that everyone can relate to and sing out at the top of their lungs. With Leigh Matty’s vocals and the backing of Craig, Andy and Steve, you can see that this is a tight knit band that performs and travels like a family (which we are). They love being on the road together and seeing dedicated fans from all 4 corners of the country that turn out to see them perform. Whether it’s an industrial estate in Wales or a Festival in the north of Scotland, the RD fan base is strong! And every fan that was at the show at The Motorsport Lounge knew that they had been part of something very special and very intimate. It was a treat for the ear and a completely new experience for a RD set but something that also felt so familiar and fresh.

90 minutes passed by in an instant as classic after classic rolls off Leighs lips to the delight of the fans, Craig never fails to impress and with Andy keeping everyone in time and Steve providing a solid bassline that almost feels comforting, this acoustic set was a triumph!

With the experimental first of a kind set done, we can now turn our attention to the big one of the weekend, FM and Romeos Daughter taking to the stage in Birmingham at the Asylum.

As I have previously mentioned, I have a lot of love for FM and Romeos Daughter for many reasons, so this gig for me would very incredibly special. We drive from Wales to Birmingham via our regular stop off The Plume of Feathers by Neil Morrisey no less, a picturesque country pub in the heart of Stone in Stoke dedicated to the life of Neil Morrisey! It’s a real place and its fantastic! It has become a staple stop off on our our touring and to quote the man himself “Its Bloody Brilliant!” but I digress. ha-ha

The Asylum in Birmingham is a new venue for both bands as neither have performed there before, so it was a venture into the unknown and I am very pleased to say it is fantastic. A huge stage and huge audience standing area this venue feels like a rock venue! A wonderful team of staff and techs made load in and set up a breeze and you can feel the anticipation of these 2 giants coming together for a very special show.

Romeo’s Daughter were on stage first and set a fantastically high bar. It was the full bells and whistles electric set again, playing classic after classic and providing exceptional fan service. They again included hits from the latest album ‘Slipstream’, and they set the pace for an all-out rock apocalypse. Leigh Matty filled the entire room with her voice and the shackles were off Craig to let loose with solo after solo. It was a fantastic spectacle. The adrenaline was pumping, the crowd were already hot and sweaty before FM took to the stage, but the entire crowd were hungry for more!

FM were preparing for an epic night with Steve Overland on vocals, Jim Kirkpatrick on Guitar, Jem Davis on Keys, Pete Jupp on drums and of course,’ the legend Merv Goldsworthy on bass. It’s like a dream team of rock heroes! From the very start (which I must admit caught me by surprise) the usual familiar sound of the introduction to Tough it Out has been replaced and they launch full swing into ‘Digging Up the Dirt’ from their ‘Heroes & Villains’ album of 2015

With Steve Overland on vocals and Jim on guitar we were treated to the same high level of performance and entertainment which has made FM the band they are and continue to be with global success! FM are a well-oiled machine of a band, and every member has their own character and personality that shows through in every song. They have such a back catalogue of tracks, it is so easy to get swept up in it all and before you know it, you’re singing your heart out to track after track and an hour has flown by. For a band that has hit their 40th Birthday this year (just like yours truly) you would never know it. The new album Old Habits Die hard is a future classic. It is a collection of genuinely classic and raw rock and produced to the highest standards that FM manage to replicate on stage in a live performance like a Swiss made watch, it was absolute perfection.

This was the first time in 9 years since Romeo’s Daughter and FM shared the same stage and it is a marriage made in Heaven (maybe even on a backseat!) I genuinely hope that FM and Romeo’s Daughter can get together for more shows in the future as both bands complement each other so well and it was an ultimate night of classic and nostalgic rock that still sounds new and fresh performed by artists at the height of their talents. If you are a rock purist, then you must take the time to find where either of these bands are playing again and book your tickets early or if you are extremely lucky you may get the chance to see them together soon.

I can only speak on behalf of myself and every fan who was there in Birmingham, but it was a very special show for everyone who attended and the acts and the crew to see these 2 musical powerhouses coming together again.

Romeo’s Daughter head out on the road again in September while FM are touring all year long celebrating their 40th anniversary and taking that show around the world. Be sure to catch them this year if you love rock and live performances. The show at The Asylum did not disappoint and cemented FM and Romeo’s Daughter in the highest regard of rock royalty and legendary status