All About Eve - The Waterfront, Norwich, Norfolk, England - 26.05.02

This should be interesting, I thought, as I ambled among the other members of the audience, mainly consisting of mature persons which I would venture to suggest were over the age of 35.  The last time I saw AAE they performed unplugged (for a review of that gig see my Dark House pages) but this tour was billed as their first electric tour in 7 years.

Julianne Regan (wearing a fluorescent orange, "teddy-girl" type skirt) and co came on stage and launched into "Flowers in Our Hair" which sounded as fresh as it did when it was first released.  "Dreamer" followed but after a few bars Julianne looked extremely concerned.   She then stopped in her tracks and the other band members stopped playing their instruments.  The audience was bemused but then Julianne made a request: "Please don't take photographs without asking" she said, as though that course of action wounded her deeply.   "Dreamer" and the rest of the songs forming the set were then performed without further incident - "Someone Said", "Blue Sonic Boy" (which is apparently taken from Julianne's solo "Mice" album), "Phased" and "Make it Bleed" were included.  I particularly enjoyed "Phased" and "Make it Bleed" since they both featured heavy guitaring.  "Make it Bleed" is apparently a B-side of one of AC/DC's singles.

There were 2 encores, during which "Every Angel" and "Our Summer" were performed.  The band also played a very good rendition of David Bowie's "Life on Mars" which I am sure would sell well, if it was released as a single. 

All About Eve can still work their magic and if Julianne can keep her temper tantrums under control, no doubt we'll see them again on the touring circuit.

Rating: ****

Date of Review: 22.06.02