Johnny Warman's Magic Bus
At the Beaverwood Club Chislehurst Kent
Jules and I had never been to the Beaverwood Club before so we did not know what to expect. Having got there in plenty of time and parked the car in a large car park to the sports club, walked in to a nice club area with a stage at far end and bar on left as you walk in.
Jules positioned us at the front on a small table not far from stage, I have to say I was a bit apprehensive about this as I was I big Who fan and to be sitting down to watch a band playing Who music could be a letdown for me if done badly as I have seen before with looky likey/cover bands before.
Johnny and the rest of the band took the stage after a few minutes, the drummer (Richard Willoughby) took his seat and put a set of headphones on which immediately perked my interest, the keyboard player (Andy Neve) started to play and I knew the song straight away “Baba O’Riley” what a way to start this, and this was going to be one of the big tests of the evening as this happens to be one of my favourite Who tracks (Who’s Next 1971) The guitarists (Lead Matt Backer and Bass Steve Tilling) came in and opened the way for Johnny to give the first hunting line of the lyrics, all I can say is he nailed it and the evening never looked back, after that they went straight into “A Legal Matter” and then into “I Can’t Explain”.
I could not believe the shear energy that Johnny put into another of my favourite songs “5:15” and then to go into “Kids are alright” the evening carried on with track after track preformed with passion and energy.
“The Seeker”, “I Can See For Miles”, by the time they started “Squeeze Box” nearly the whole club was singing alone, then the band then slowed things down just a bit as they went into “Behind Blue Eyes” but as all Who fans know this was just a red herring as Johnny leapt into the end section of the song with so much power it carried you alone for the ride.
The band then did something I have never seen or heard before they went into “Amazing Journey/Sparks” this was a first for me, but loved every minute of it after this short respite into “Magic Bus”, “Pinball Wizard” then Johnny took a rest and let Bass Player Steve take centre stage with a more than acceptable rendition of “Boris the Spider” the evening went on with track after track of Who music performed with great passion and I have to say Johnny was on fire with his performance and vocals.
Johnny was more than complemented by the performance of the whole band, be it Drums, Keyboard or Guitars all in all the whole band worked and gave the crowd more than they paid for (The ticket price was only £10) doing many more songs like “Pictures of Lily”, “I’m a Boy” “My Generation“ and many others, which took the audience on a fantastic journey of great Who tracks finishing the set with “Substitute and Won’t get Fooled” they took a bow and left the stage with the cheers and stomps of the club ringing in their ears, Encore Encore!
After a short time they came back on stage and I personally think they saved the best till last! Johnny started to sing a song that Jules just loves “Love Reign O’er Me” and then to wind things up with “See Me/Listening to You”
All in all a great way to spend a Tenner and more than worth it, the performance started with great passion and energy and carried that through the whole night, I was very happy that band was playing The Who tracks the way they should be played, but they were not trying to be the Who e.g. dressing and trying to look like them.
I will be going to see them again as they not only do a Who tribute night but also to the Mod’s and Rockers as well, if you would like to know more go to their web site http://www.themagicbus.co.uk/ or their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/magicbusbanduk?fref=ts
