Testimonials

Leeds Old Woollen 19th April 2022

“Wow! Red Guitars were absolutely brilliant tonight. 38 years since their last live show? Still got some amazing energy and a great bunch of songs. And what a great venue OldWoollen is. Definitely be paying it another visit.” jonnygarcon

“A triumphant return for Red Guitars with a wonderful gig at Old Woollen on the first date of their ‘Slow To Fade’ reunion tour. Stand out songs were ‘Slow To Fade’, ‘Fact’, ‘Steeltown’ and ‘Good Technology’. Terra Fin Music opened proceedings with a very enjoyable set … excellent evening of uplifting music.” Across the Universal Soundscape

“A great night at Old Woollen last night watching @RedGuitars, a cracking venue. Roll on Manchester on Thursday” Thebubblegunman

“Great venue, great beer, great band, great tunes, great gig. To sum up, it wer’great!” StephenBatley2

“Last night was brilliant. See you at the 100 Club!”

“Fantastic opening gig last night! Looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow at Night & Day Cafe Manchester “

“I waited the best part of 40 years for last night’s Red Guitars gig. I wasn’t disappointed and I’m still smiling. Same again next week!”rogytds

“Great gig, great venue. We enjoyed every minute, and it looked like you all did too ! Wish we could come to one of the others, another tour please ?”

“Fantastic gig, it’s like you’ve never been away!”

“A wonderful gig, a real privilege to be there and just so much warmth, energy and fun from the band.”

“Tremendous night! Couldn’t stop smiling. You were freakin’ awesome”

Manchester Night & day Cafe 21st April 2022

“They were magnificent, Red Guitars, even better than I’d hoped for.” Rob Sim

“Wow! We jived & survived. They stand alone. “ Jonathan Wood

“Thought you lot were absolutely brilliant last night. Fantastic energy and the songs haven’t lost their power over the years. In fact Steeltown, Good Tech and Fact (in particular) sounded eerily modern. Thanks so much for getting the band back together. Brilliant. Enjoy every second. There’s a lovely energy coming from that stage. Just don’t leave it so long til you do it all over again!

Thought your lad’s band did a great job too, and will be following their progress. Onwards” Tom

“Had a great night watching Red Guitars again last night at night and day cafe Manchester. My main impression is that Lou @LoudhailerUK is having the time of her life on that stage and weirdly doesn’t seem to age.” Nick

“Red Guitars Thank you so much. 38 years worth waiting for” MCFC PRAHA

“What’s immediately apparent is how unnoticeable is their near 40-year hiatus. Duffy-Howard and Lewis in particular take an almost telepathic delight in playing off one another. Their enthusiasm radiates into the throng, provoking outbursts of introspective skanking as jackets are removed and shirts are further loosened.” Northern Soul

“This gig was magical on every level. TRG’s we’re both tight and loose as good live acts should be. Hallam Lewis played sparkling lead guitar, seldom did his fingers hit the usual pentatonic scale his musical mode being more that of clever semi toned dorian mode scales with that of mixolydian. His fingers ran across the fretboard like a rats up a drain pipe and he played both with guts and imagination throughout, reaching the pinnacle of experience that surpassed all expectation. It was a team effort on vocals, harmonies ticked every box that any audience could have wished for. At times it felt like a CBGBs reunion with elements of Television and Talking Heads as well as high-life, jazz fusion elements far beyond the male-strum of Punk or new wave. TRG’s are closer to Captain Beefheart at times than any 1980 type parallels such as Joy Division.” Mr Bolton’s Propelling Pencil

Glasgow Garage 22nd April 2022

“The wonderful return of Red Guitars in Glasgow last night. I’ll be grinning for weeks – all of Slow To Fade, and the early singles played with pride, skill, and love to an audience who loved them back. Slow To Fade means a lot to me, remembering a lost friend – I was so moved.” IRobStacey1

“This is theeeeee red guitar. It sung last night, all the way from Cape Town. Small stage Big band, Huge noise, Tre-bloody-men-dous” pegdeg

“Well, thank you very much Red Guitars that was smashing. Just heard about gig the other night on Gideon Coe gidcoe, so glad I went. All filled up with emulsion (as my old malaproping auntie used to say).” JM

“Thank you guys so much for a wonderful gig last night in Glasgow, so good to finally see you live.” Scott McLuckie

“Yep! I was excited as soon as the re-union was announced, and the gig I went to in Glasgow was a lovely celebration of great songs, by a band who clearly were enjoying being back together and performing again. So many highlights – Cloak and Dagger being one of mine.” SR

“The set also reinforced my view on the strength of the band’s catalogue. They played pretty much everything they ever released and three of the four singles were played in the first half dozen songs, yet that didn’t affect the show’s momentum one bit. Album tracks like ‘Remote Control’ and ‘Dive’ were spectacular yet B-sides ‘Within Four Walls’ and an extended ‘Heartbeat Go!’ (used to introduce the band) were every bit their equal. All of this built the set nicely for a sensational (and complete!) ‘Good Technology’ which provided a singalong finale to the main set.” Manic Pop Thrills

“I’d been following Lou and her band on Twitter for a while, and when it was announced that the original line up of the Red Guitars was going to get back together and tour, I had to keep checking that it wasn’t some elaborate joke being played on me. It was truly a “dream come true” for me, as I’d loved the band in both line ups, and collected their back catalogue in record form over the years. A ticket was purchased as soon as they became available, and on Friday 22 April, I travelled across to Glasgow to attend the gig in The Attic, at the Garage on Sauciehall Street. It was lovely to recognise all the band as they mingled with us in the venue, and I reverted to being a gawky, diffident, teenage fan, asking for a 7″ single of Good Technology (The bands first single) to be signed, and offering a old Red Rhino Records bag as a bribe. The shop was based in York, and was where you bought the records that were outside the top 40, and released on independent labels, before “indie” became a musical genre. The gig was just a total joy – I have to admit that I’d shared my love of the band with a friend who lived in Belfast, on a road-trip to watch motorbike racing a few years ago, and it turned out he’d seen them when they supported The Smiths, and loved the title track of their first album, “Slow To Fade”. He’d had his demons, and died suddenly in 2006, and as soon as the opening guitar riffs chimed out, beautifully played by Hallam, and the superb John Rowley, my eyes welled up at the memory. I’m afraid to say that I was a bit of a mess during the whole song, but eventually composed myself – it was such a moving moment. The band encored with Paris France, and we all sang along, not wanting the night to end. A band that managed to combine brilliant lyrics, with music that was as uplifting as it was complicated, The Red Guitars remain my favourite band, and I just wanted to say “Thank You” to the band, and everyone associated with them for making me, and many other fans, so happy. With much love x” IRS

Hull New Adelphi Club 27th April 2022

“Best described as joyous. As for you not only are you a fabulous bass player but you exude such joy yourself. You were positively beaming, clearly enjoying yourself and that transmits to the audience, it’s infectious. It was also really good to speak with the other band members who are lovely people too. Wishing you the best for the rest of the tour. I’d love to know your fitness regime, you were bouncing around that stage like a spring lamb.” AM

“You guys absolutely smashed it, what an atmosphere.” Dylan Price, Hull Adelphi Club

“I’ve been to hundreds of gigs over the years, but Red Guitars at The Adelphi Club tonight was one of the best. Amazing songs and musicians who seem to be loving being back on the stage playing them.” Mark Powell

“Wow! Songs still very relevant and poignant 30+ years on. Amazing tunes. Thanks Red Guitars The Adelphi Club” Tiger Sue

“A sold out The Adelphi Club with the imperious Red Guitars Amazing gig. The love in the room was palpable.” The Gold Needles

“Well Red Guitars – I hope you enjoyed that gig at Adelphi Hull as much as we did!!!! Not danced so much in ages!!! Glad Lou still plays the fretless guitar! I feel 18 again!!! Come back soon!!!” Pauline Thornton

“Great gig. Top 5 The Adelphi Club for me.” Andy Currie

“Seems like all of Hull was crammed in! It was fab.” Sue Leighton

“It was unbelievable. Everybody I spoke to had a fantastic time. The collective and individual performances were stunning.” PA

“Great night with the Red Guitars at the New Adelphi. Stupendous set and atmosphere.” Rupert Creed

“Absolutely fantastic gig. Hallam is a brilliantly inventive guitarist.” Stephen Roe

“Turns out the Red Guitars are still the best band from Hull. Fantastic gig at the Adelphi tonight.” Stephen Roe

“Great gig tonight by Red Guitars at The Adelphi Club.Amazingly tight considering they haven’t played together since Thatcher was a lad. They were properly enjoying themselves as well. Cracking stuff.” Dave Lee

“Red Guitars – Great gig, tremendous sound, nostalgic for us old folks, but also great music and message… when’s the new album out! Steve Morantz

Brighton Green Door Store 28th April

2022

“There was always one band I wish I had seen live but never got the chance. Tonight my wish came true and after almost 40 years, I finally saw the amazing Red Guitars live. It was the best gig ever and there are not enough words to say how incredible the band were live.” Skylla

“Thank you, never thought I would get the chance to see you live again and it was even better than I hoped.” David Ealey

“Fantastic gig! I hope you enjoyed it as much as the audience seemed to.” Nigel Herron

“What an impact you’ve made up and down the country – well done all!” Rachel

“I was 16 when I saw you steal the show from The Smiths and have had those images of you stamped in my memory ever since. So it was great to see your parents on stage last night playing that excellent set!!” Steve Atkinson (haha very good Steve!)

“An evening spent with one of my oldest friends, MrRober16070170, singing along to one of my favourite bands, with the biggest smile on my face. Thank you Red Guitars, that was brilliant. See you at the 100 Club.” Roger Millington

100 Club, London 29th April 2022

“So much joy in the room for Red Guitars at the 100clubLondon last night. Uplifting to see brilliant musicians playing together again after 38 years. Slow to fade, as the song says.” John Pullman

“Friday evening with the fabulous Red Guitars at The 100 Club. I had waited 35 years for this tour and they did not disappoint!” Rob Telford

“I’m at a gig – a real live gig with Red Guitars and they are rocking!” Liz Treacher

“What an extraordinary bunch of musicians Red Guitars. I will need my jaw rewiring after watching that. Utterly joyous. I am 17 again.” Steve M

“You were absolutely brilliant. Overwhelmingly so. (I NEARLY plucked up the courage to speak to you in the audience during the support but didn’t want to intrude). Thank you so much. Seeing you again 38! years after Coventry Poly meant a lot. Heartbeat Go!!” PeteM.

“Wonderful to see Red Guitars in London last night. Absolutely loved it! I was 17 when I first saw them and I felt 17 again. Hoping to see them in 2060, if not (preferably) before!” Andrew Hook

“Last night was one of those ‘moments’. A band that clearly meant a lot to people, sonically and politically. And the lyrics are so fresh still. Shaken not Stirred, Good Technology, Sting in the Tale, chillingly spot on. Am still buzzing.” Steve Morgan

“Wow guys what an extra special treat to see you at the 100 club last night I had the best fun, thank you best wishes to all from David”

“I knew you were good. I didn’t realise after 38 years away it could still be THAT good. Such an intricate sound, yet so accessible. Great onstage chemistry, too.”

“Red Guitars on top form at The 100 Club last night. I described Brighton as brilliant, and this was better than Brighton.“ Roger Millington

“Two absolutely stunning gigs – last week in Manchester and last night in London. Please don’t leave it another 38 years until your next tour… ‘cos I might be getting on a bit by then.” David Gibson

“Amazing night at 100clubLondon with stellar sets by Red Guitars Fragile Creatures. Great to meet the amazing Lou @LoudhailerUK in person & what a bass guitarist she is. Lovely to see Adam & Neville again & what a great audience.” Neil March

Another full house and belting show for Red Guitars this time at the 100 Club in London.” Phil Ascough

“I’ve waited 40 years! And I was not disappointed… such a brilliant show full of energy and just the best music!” Tia K Iqbal

“Magnificent gig in London last night.” Keith Phillips

“A stunning evening and nearly forty years after I first saw you live you’ve just got even better. Oh and I even got to replace the t-shirt I lost many years ago.” Simon Maurice

“Fantastic night. Looked like the band were all having a great night too playing a superb set. Thanks.” Darren Lewis

“Thank you for last night, I really enjoyed it. I never thought I’d get the chance to see you live. I’ve loved your music for 35 years and I still play your albums now. Thanks again.” Peter Lane

“It’s not an exaggeration to say I have waited nearly forty years to see you play live. And I was not disappointed.” Gary Couzens

“An iconic band playing an iconic venue, it was pure magic.” Simon Higgins

“… to the unbridled joy of a packed venue, they surge into a scintillating rendition of Marimba Jive, Hallam’s South African inspired guitar figures playing off against Lou’s sumptuous sliding fretless bassline. It takes seconds to establish that Jerry has lost nothing of the power and distinctive character in his voice and the band have lost nothing of their interlocking groove-making chemistry… ” Trust the Doc

Birmingham O2 Institute 30th April 2022

“The Birmingham gig was breathtakingly brilliant. I still haven’t come back down to Earth yet! Absolutely inspiring.” Tony Gillam

“I only wish I could have attended more than just the one; it was an absolutely fabulous night. If you can do it again, please, please do! Failing that, a live album would be a very lovely thing. Thank you.” David Brown

“Red Guitars it’s taken 4 decades to see this band live, utterly awesome. A great night, you all sounded immense. And you all looked as if you enjoyed it.” Chuck Middleton

“Was the 3rd night in a row seeing this great band – last seen in 1986! Such utter joy to see these amazing people and musicians performing the songs that have shaped me, with sounds that turn you inside out. Thank you!!” MrRober16070170

“A 38-year gap, but definitely worth the wait to see Red Guitars, recently reformed with all the original members. Thanks for a great show!”

“Overjoyed to catch you live again last night – lovely to see the whole gang back together. Thanks for a great night – you nailed it! Many thanks also for all of you signing my 38-year-old gig poster (adding to Johnny Marr!) Safe journeys back to your various homes & continents.” Tim Bourne

“I think that the whole tour has been so enjoyable for everyone involved, and especially for the fans attending the gigs. The songs are just so good, and the musicianship has been spot-on, Jerry’s lyrics ever prescient and moving.” Ian Stacey

“I saw Red Guitars last week. First gig in over two years. A great night, and a real mental health boost.“ Pete Moxon

“Lovely stuff. I was a fan. Had GT (which still sounds great) after seeing them on The Tube and Marimba Jive. They got heavy rotation from me back in the day.” Steven McKevitt

“I never caught them first time round so this was a MUST!!! Excellent night, that bass, those guitars. Cracking night, much love!!!” The New Fools

“Yup, brilliant night ! And another vote for more gigs please!” Mike Jeffries

“Brilliant gig; and really nice to be able to talk to some of the band.” John McCabe

“They say never meet your Heroes. Well that does not apply to the Red Guitars. Brilliant band, Brilliant Gig and brilliant people. I waited 38 years to see them live and it was worth every single minute.”

“April ended with yet another gig in Birmingham and this was the best I’ve been to in many a long year. Birmingham’s O2 Institute played host to a reformed Red Guitars – one of my favourite indie bands of the 1980s. In the early eighties, while the aforementioned Spandau Ballet were topping the charts with hits like True and Gold, Hull-based Red Guitars were crafting a unique blend of indie rock and African jit-jive and releasing a classic gem of an album called Slow to Fade. Seeing Red Guitars play songs like ‘Remote Control,’ ‘Crocodile Tears’ and ‘Good Technology’ more than 30 years after this short-lived band split up seemed nothing short of miraculous and I was completely overwhelmed with a combination of joy and nostalgia for my youth. It was a pleasure to shake hands with bassist Lou Loudhailer, (who has featured elsewhere on this blog as part of Agent Starling.)” Tony Gillam, Passengers in Time

“Please do another show fantastic !!” Keith Phillips

“What a night. I’ve waited since 1984 for this and you did not disappoint. Brilliant. Please tour again……PLEASE.” Steve Buck

And to close the post, Rob Slade’s review made me laugh out loud. I didn’t know he was there until the next day when it popped up on Facebook:

“On Saturday night my cousin Lou Duffy-Howard was playing for her band Red Guitars in the final concert of their first tour for many years, possibly their only and last gig so I felt the need to see them even though I get bored after five minutes unless the music is really good, eg Beethoven’s 9th

It was a good decision – see the video … where I’ve alternated their promotional video of Good Technology from 40 years ago with my video of the band on Saturday. It’s the same band, the same people, playing the same music and better on Saturday night. My video is better as well!

I’m in the middle of playing a tennis marathon of more than 30 tennis matches in 30 days so so fitting it in wasn’t easy

On Saturday I had a match at David Lloyd Trafford at 12pm which finished at 2:30pm and the gig started in Birmingham at 6pm

So it was just possible but I didn’t really feel like making the effort for something I probably wouldn’t like in a place I didn’t like (Birmingham) so I had a leisurely shower and coffee (enjoy the moment, why rush was my new rule of thumb).

I tried but failed get the online tickets through ticket master but I decide doing this journey would be a challenge and adventure. Luckily Man U wasn’t playing or this would have been impossible, because the my route was past the Temple of Mammon.

I got to the excellent NCP car park in Store St (£6.80 for 24 hours) with 30 minutes to spare and I’m by the platform with 15 mins to spares when I see a Greggs.

Who can walk past a Greggs if you haven’t eaten all day (the emanating smells reminded me)

I queue for 5 mins then I’m served by a slow motion Koala Bear who is cute but takes five minutes to assemble my vegan sausage roll, vegetable bake, pizza slice and assorted sandwiches so I figure a coffee is a step to far. My diet is not going well!

I make the train by two minutes. Clearly I enjoy living on the edge.

At Birmingham New St I discover that the cheapest hotel near the centre of Birmingham is £150 a night which is at least twice what I’m willing to pay for for somewhere to sleep. How can that be? Who wants to stay in Birmingham on a Saturday night or any night?

So I book the Belmont Hotel, £65 and four miles west in Hagley but that means no time to check in and leave my bag.

Its now 6:30 and the gig is from 6:00 to 9:30 but the Red G’s won’t be on until 7:30 I figure so still plenty of time.

I get to the O2 Academy for 6:45 where I discover that the Red G’s are playing at the O2 Institute (why don’t our brains ever read the second word of well known two word phrases?) but I meet there two Red G fans who look coolish so that’s a good sign, they have at least two fans who are not weird

I get to the O2 Institute by 7:05 and I’m refused entry because I have a bag bigger than A4. Who reads admission rules!?

I arrive back at New St station and I’m overjoyed to find a left luggage depot. I didn’t think they still existed. Not cheap. £7.50 for three hours.

It’s now 7:30 so I’m gonna miss the beginning of Red G’s and I’m getting a bit travel worn. I need a decent beer or two and a sit down

My Camra ap tells me there is only one good pub in the entire eastern half of Birmingham city centre, the Spotted Dog and Gmaps tells me it’s not far from the venue.

So I can make the Spotted D and still get to the gig for the last hour at 8:30.

Gmaps is wrong however and while the Spotted Dog is good, well worth a visit, well worth missing 30 mins of a gig, I finally make it to the venue at 8:45.

But I’m almost out of phone battery. I always carry a powerpak back-up but I had the wrong lead

Can you imagine seeing something really really good, perhaps the only time you may ever see this thing and you can’t take even one photo, not even one minute of video? I can’t, and I couldn’t, so I set off back to the station to get the lead from my bag. I calculated that if I ran I could be back at the venue for the final 30 mins

On my way, a few hundred yards, I pass a small Asian convenience store that looked like it might magically have anything and it did, or at least an Apple lightning lead which pretty much is everything. How is that possible? So I’m back in the venue at 8:55, only 35 minute of music left but obviously the the best bit of the gig, and 35 minutes is my boredom threshold for doing nothing, no matter how good the entertainment, unless it’s Beethoven’s 9th symphony, and even then I might have to wriggle and stifle a few yawns.

The Red Guitars is an alternative rock band (skank with soul?) and not overly accessible music but it was good, and some bits where in fact awesome, so well worth the journey. If they play again, I’ll be there for longer. Perhaps an hour

Birmingham not as bad as I thought btw. Lots of interesting or beautiful buildings and spaces, and I almost like the accent. How can you not, if it’s how Noddy Holder or Frank Skinner speak.” Rob Slade