Joe Bonamassa - Sheffield Arena

Sheffield Arena-Joe Bonamassa 24th March 2012

So we arrived late at Sheffield Arena, having been diverted off the M18 for roadworks and through Doncaster! We set off at 5pm from Cleethorpes and arrived bang on 7:30pm at the Arena (2.5 hrs for a journey that should take 90 mins tops!).

The sounds of slow train were eminating from within the arena as we walked up the steps, and we arrived at our seats just as the second number started. Good seats though, just to one side but near the front, and front of the row as well.

We last saw Joe about 2 years ago in a lesser and more cramped and uncomfortable (and pretty crap) venue in Rotherham (The Magna centre - i.e. old steelworks - in a narrow and cramped hall suitably superheated and with little or no exits or entrances). He vowed never to play there again, but all was well at the Arena tonight. It was more of a half arena though as the stage was set up well forward into the arena - well he is hardly Take That is he!! (considerably, musically more talented, though he does not dance or have a stageshow as such! It is not required!!).

With no support act, and no intermission......The guitar master, was just that, and the long 2 hour plus set covered much material from his dozen or so albums (yes that many!) . With some covers thrown in from Gary Moore (now a past master), and from Joes other band Black Country Communion. The only part that perhaps could have been cut shorter was the long acoustic guitar Django which did seem endless.

That said there was some varied material thrown about, and many changes of guitar, and much head nodding, cheering and standing ovations form the Sheffield crowd.

Though Joe will never be a hit maker (he said this himself), he will always be a master of the guitar and can be included with the other players simlilarly gifted and possibly countable on one hand (those that are alive at least!)

It was good to hear the master at work!!

Welcome to the Arenas Joe, its been a long time coming!!
2 Minutes to Midnight (Iron Maiden Intro)

1. Slow Train
2. Last Kiss
3. Midnight Blues
   (Gary Moore cover)
4. Dust Bowl
5. You Better Watch Yourself
   (Little Walter cover)
6. Sloe Gin
   (Tim Curry cover)
7. The Ballad of John Henry
8. Lonesome Road Blues
9. Song of Yesterday
   (Black Country Communion song)
10. Steal Your Heart Away
    (Bobby Parker cover)
11. Blues Deluxe
    (Jeff Beck cover)
12. Young Man Blues
    (The Who cover)
13. Woke Up Dreaming
14. Django
15. Mountain Time
16. Encore:
16. Driving Toward the Daylight
    (UK premiere)
17. Just Got Paid

Gig Score: 8/10

(ZZ Top cover)