Magnum/Grand Slam – Epic Studios, Norwich, Sunday 4th October, 2026
Set List: Nineteen/Gone Are The Days/Dedication/Spitfire/Military Man/Crazy/ Sisters Of Mercy/Whiskey In The Jar.
Grand Slam opened proceedings tonight, originally the band was made up of Phil Lynott & Mark Stanway whereas the current line-up has Mike Dyer on vocals who has an engaging style and loads of charisma with only Guitarist, Laurence Archer remaining from the original line–up.
 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 3 |  Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 7 |
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 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 5 |  Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 6 |
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 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 1 |
The band perform songs associated with Lynott, Gary Moore and later material from the group. Their support slot is energetic, the highlights being ‘Military Man’ and ‘Whiskey In The Jar’. The sound was good, the audience familiar with many of the songs, which is not surprising as most of them were covers.
 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 14 |  Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 13 |
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 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 12 |  Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 11 |
 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 10 |  Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 9 |
 Grand Slam - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 8 |
Being the opening act for Magnum is never easy, Grand Slam warmed us up nicely, but it is all about the headliners.
Set List: Days Of No Trust/Lost On The Road To Eternity/Wild Swan/When We Were Younger/Run Into The Shadow/How Far Jerusalem/Soldier Of The Line/Tall Ships/ On A Storytellers Night/Midnite (You Won't Be Sleeping)/All England’s Eyes/Vigilante/Kingdom Of Madness.
Encore: Sacred Hour/When The World Comes Down On You.
The last time I saw Magnum was at Cambridge, it was the first time I had done so as a photographer. It was also the first time without the super talented Tony Clarkin…it was weird being so close to the stage and not seeing his huge presence. I couldn’t concentrate, I was just trapped in a bubble of emotion, how Bob Catley performed I don’t know.
This time things felt different, time had elapsed and I was simply going to enjoy the music from a band that I have seen around 40 times. As an occasion it was a celebration and truly epic, as was the venue. Bob was joined by Rick Benton (Keyboards), Dennis Ward (Bass), Lee Morris (Drums) & Brendon Riley (Guitar).
From the opening strains of ‘Days Of No Trust’ it was clear that Catley was in fine voice, as I glanced at the many familiar faces of those at the barrier it was obvious that everyone was here to party, to enjoy a gig that is only possible because of the creative writing and mastery of the guitar of Clarkin.
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 1 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 8 |
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 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 7 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 6 |
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 5 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 4 |
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 2 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 3 |
Throughout Catley performed with passion that not only honours the legacy of a friend but also defies the aging process, (he is 79). Witnessing Magnum on a larger stage than on recent tours added to the intensity, as did the images that appeared on the large screen. During my designated 3 song shoot I focussed on our vocalist, his hand gestures and interaction with the Magnum faithful was movingly magical.
Our beaming front man is adorned in a long black coat not dissimilar to the one he wore on the legendary Wings Of Heaven tour, with his hair dancing in the air, as it gets caught in the turbulence of the fans he really looked fit and in mighty fine fettle.
‘Lost On The Road To Eternity’ is greeted with enthusiasm, while ‘Wild Swan’ reminds us of the glory days when Magnum headlined Hammersmith Odeon 5 nights in a row! This was followed by Wembley Arena! It is now time for me to depart from the photo pit, as I do so a poignant ‘Run From The Shadows’ is delivered, poignant because it is the first song to be played from Here Comes the Rain, the last album Tony would record with Magnum, Catley was clearly moved, barely able to hold it together, the rest of us are fighting back the tears, that feel and fall like hard rain…
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 15 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 13 |
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 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 14 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 12 |
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 11 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 10 |
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 9 |
From here I become just a fan, just like I was ‘In The Beginning’, no cameras, I make my way to the front, I sing and dance with the other devotees of one of the greatest bands in British history. Catley sits upon a swivelling stool as he performs an acoustic version of ‘Tall Ships’. With over 250 songs penned by Tony Clarkin it is impossible to play everyone’s favourite, the set is focussed on material from before their breakup and subsequent reunion in 2001.
The classics just keep on coming, ‘On A Storytellers Night’ ‘Soldier On The Line’. ‘Kingdom Of Madness’ has the venue bouncing and closes the main set, disappointingly there is no ‘The Spirit’, but as I said they can’t play everything in a 90-minute set, maybe a couple of later songs could be added, ‘Your Dreams Won’t Die’ should be included for reasons that are obvious.
 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 23 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 22 |
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 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 21 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 19 |
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 Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 17 |  Magnum - Norwich 04 10 26 - Photograph 16 |
The encore arrives with the magnificent ‘Sacred Hour’ which is sung with glorious enthusiasm by both Catley and the crowd. We reach the conclusion with ‘When The World Comes Down’, we erupt with applause of joy. It really has been ‘One Night Of Passion’, Magnum and Tony Clarkin, your music has been with me ‘All of My Life’.
Thank you for keeping the night light burning, see you again soon.
By Paul Mace