Review: Pulsating rock from the classic UFO at Leamington’s Assembly

UFO performing at the Leamington Assembly. Picture by Andrew Lock.

UFO, one of the biggest names in British rock, chose the Assembly to launch their latest tour - and the band left nobody in the large mid-week crowd disappointed, delivering a well-chosen, rocking set stretching across their lengthy career.

Support came from energetic, youthful Russian hard rockers Reds’ Cool, a band with a powerhouse of a lead vocalist. Numbers such as Brand New Start gained a good reception.

When UFO hit the stage it was no messing about - straight into the classic Lights Out to begin the set in some style. Many of the band’s most popular numbers were performed, including Only You Can Rock Me, Too Hot To Handle, the epic Love to Love and Rock Bottom.

A few surprises were also in the set, such as a pulsating Pushed to the Limit from their 1990s output and the material from their latest studio album Seven Deadly, included the bluesy Burn Your House Down.

Encores were back to real crowd pleasers with a fabulous Doctor Doctor and Shoot Shoot.

A classic rock band still giving it all on stage. Hopefully not too long before another UFO sighting in town.

Andrew Lock