Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): Judas Priest, "Invincible Shield" Tour, with special guests Saxon and Uriah Heep, OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Monday 11th March 2024

Between them, these bands have been around for over a hundred and fifty years and have put out sixty-eight studio albums. They've each been going through a renaissance period recently, receiving radio airplay for their well-received new material. So far, so good.

Tonight, they haven't managed to sell out the Hydro, with the top tier and upper sides curtained off. It is the first night of the tour, but the audience seems up for it despite it being a Monday night. Bizarrely for a metal gig, the venue is all seated.

First up: Uriah Heep.

They played a short set of five songs, four of which I recognised and enjoyed. The lead singer has a strong voice and the band were tight. My only issue was with the keyboard player, who seemed to take umbrage from time to time and insist on banging out any old nonsense on his old Joanna.

Setlist:

Save Me Tonight (Live debut)

Grazed by Heaven

Hurricane (Live debut)

Gypsy

Easy Livin'

Next up: Saxon.

For a support slot, I was surprised to hear them play so many numbers from the new album, Hell, Fire and Damnation. Biff's vocals were good, although a little too reliant on echo. The bit that bugged me was the way the lead guitarist kept throwing in a million extra notes to his solos as if trying to avoid copyright, changing the sound dramatically from the record. Once or twice would have been okay, but not all the time. It spoilt my enjoyment of an otherwise excellent set.

Setlist

The Prophecy (on tape)

Hell, Fire And Damnation (Live debut)

Motorcycle Man

Sacrifice

There's Something In Roswell (Live debut)

And the Bands Played On

Madame Guillotine (Live debut)

Power and the Glory

Fire And Steel (Live debut)

Dallas 1 PM (Crowd given choice between this and Crusader)

747 (Strangers in the Night)

Denim and Leather

Wheels of Steel

Princess of the Night

Finally, Judas Priest.

I wanted to enjoy them—I really did. The staging was a bit mid-budget (with no side screens and a weird lighting rig in the shape of the new album's emblem), but the band was excellent, with some amazing guitar work and tight drumming, and they performed well as a unit. Rob Halford, on the other hand, came across like Uncle Albert (from Only Fools and Horses) trying out metal karaoke, reading most of the song lyrics from the stage monitor, then parading around as if wearing armour until it was time to sing another bit or go to his curtained snug for a change of jacket. He often missed his cue to be back on stage and sang the start of the song from behind the curtain several times. I get that he's old and a metal legend, but this is doing little to protect his legacy. When he failed to sing several choruses, instead turning the mike to the audience, I switched off.

This was a performance to endure, not enjoy. A real disappointment.

Setlist:

War Pigs (Black Sabbath song played on tape)

Panic Attack (Live debut)

Rapid Fire

You've Got Another Thing Comin'

Metal Gods

Lightning Strike

Love Bites (First time live since 2015)

Breaking the Law

Saints in Hell (First time live since 2019)

Trial by Fire (Live debut)