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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
9:00 AM 17th March 2015
arts

A Great Night Of Classic British Rock At Leeds Arena

 
Thunder has been one of the best rock acts to come put of the UK over the last 25 years.

The band split up in 1999 and again 2009 but their third coming was with their new album, The Wonder Days debuting at #9 in the UK album charts last week. Who says that rock music is on its last legs with impressive sales such as this?!

With the album they appear to have found a new lease of life. The gig opens with the video screens showing footage of the 1970's so we get the Thames TV logo, photos of Bruce Lee, Charles Angels, Morecambe and Wise, Concorde etc before the band arrive on stage to perform Wonder Days, the title track of the new album.

Lead singer Danny Bowes is probably the most under rated front man of any UK rock act, he has total control of the fans with his charm and cheeky persona. "You've got good lungs" he informs the audience after the track, River of Pain.

What follows is the best of the songs from the new album along with their classic tracks. Backstreet Symphony was greeted like a long lost friend by the audience whilst I'll Be Waiting showed that the band can perform subtle ballads as well as the rockier tracks. Bowes has a soulful voice too and you can feel the emotion in his voice when he performs the track.


Lead guitarist Luke Morley appeared to be on fine form, whilst guitarist Ben Matthews made a good return to the stage after successfully being treated for cancer last year. "He's kicked cancer in the butt", informed Bowes to the fans.

I love you More Than Rock N Roll closed the set before the band return with a 3 song encore. Dirty Love still sounds as good as it did in the early 90's.

With not one swear word to be heard from the band it was refreshing to witness a gig that was enjoyed by fans from as young as 8 years old to those a bit older! It is great to have the band back.