What more could you want on a chilly night in Sydney than dancing and singing the evening away with those sexy Scots ‘The Bay City Rollers’, sizzling up the stage? I couldn’t wait for another night of fun and nostalgia at Revesby Workers Club with Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers. After an eye opening initiation last year, it was time to put on those imaginary bobby socks and think about a time that I was only just born in, but would have loved to have experienced. The forever adoring throng of fans were already surrounding the stage before I even arrived. Dress ups, glittery make up and tartan, of course, lots of it, scattered throughout the venue with the air heaving of youthful excitement. This was going to be another ‘Bay City Rollers’ night to remember.
And there it was, the screaming starting well before the first notes of ‘Summerlove Sensation’ began our set. The frisky crowd was already clamouring to get hunky Les’ attention, just as the band introduction was announced… Ladies and Gents, careful, I’m not sure Les would like some more bruised calves after last year’s grab fest. But then again, this is all a part of the Rollers effect, and something I expect and look forward to now, every time I see the band. It gives me a little glimpse of the BCR mayhem of the 1970’s. What a jam-packed first set we had with songs ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ and ‘Keep On Dancing’, which was a lovely tribute to the recently passed, founding member of BCR, Alan Longmuir. Then we swayed along to ‘Give A Little Love’ and ‘You’re A Woman’. I now know all these tunes much better now and was very much looking forward to a perfect night of great songs and joy. It was such a rich era for brilliant pop songs, it’s a shame this century hasn’t taken more cues from the master pop song writers. Then unexpectedly, Les brings a cute visitor on stage, no it wasn’t a hot little number from the crowd, but the fluffy Scottish Terrier, ‘Angus’. Awwww…. What a cutie pie you are Angus! If we weren’t all ‘cooing’ enough as it was, Angus just added to the sweetness of the evening.
These BCR gigs always put me in a ‘Happy Days’ mood, like we are all at Arnold’s waiting for our milkshakes and burgers. That was one of the main things I remembered from my first Roller concert, like you were taken back into a time machine to a simpler, more joyful time. That feeling came rushing back as the band launched into ‘Remember (Sha-La-La)’ for the start of our second set. Then some ‘All Of Me, Loves All Of You’ and a great David Paton medley of ‘Magic’ and ‘January’. Paton, of course, being a past BCR member and finding more success with his band ‘Pilot’. A few more hits continued this Roller Ride, as Les then launches into an acapella version of ‘Let’s Go’. Mmmm, sounding mighty fine Les, if I must say so myself, and looking mighty fine as well. That catcalling just wasn’t letting up from anywhere across the crowd. An always witty and playful band in concert, the Rollers know their fans and always deliver.
© MARINA KNEZEVIC 2018. All Rights Reserved.
See PHOTOS from Revesby Workers HERE
Love this band? Share this post with your friends!