Quireboys/The Soho Dukes/Matty James Cassidy -
KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton, Saturday 29th November, 2025
I have seen and photographed so many 'one man and his guitar' to know that 1; it's scary opening a show with no back up and 2; you need to really stand out from the crowded market.
Matty is extremely talented at playing, writing and singing. He has a really charming swagger about him. His songs are the sort you would find on a "Peaky Blinders" program. Not an insult at all. Fans of Nick Cave would love this singer. Such a lovely man who was happy meeting the fans after the show.
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It was a good set and great way to open a show.
The Soho Dukes came out and the Lead Guitarist, Si Leach & Keyboard Player, Swerve had the audacity to wear jackets almost as loud as mine! Disgraceful.
While the whole band brought the house down, the real star of the show was the 'cheeky chappy' himself, Johnny Barracuda. He kept the crowd on their toes, pivoting from a "gangsta" pose with a baseball bat to a comedic solo on a frying pan—complete with fried eggs! Even the powerhouse performance of 'Age Appy' 'Ammer Blackwell couldn't steal the spotlight, despite his groovy rock n' roll beats and precision on the kit.
However, it was the geezer dressed as a wasp who truly electrified the room, buzzing from one side of the stage to the other. The Bassist, Bomber acted like the Lead Guitarist, covering every inch of the stage and making sure every band member was part of his madness.
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This band immediately came across as a group of right loveable geezers, setting a wonderfully relaxed and approachable tone for the entire performance. They were undeniably both fun and talented, executing their music with skill while keeping the energy high. But what made the evening truly special was their captivating stage presence.
They demonstrated an excellent and effortless way of weaving their own humour into the set, yet somehow managed to involve the entire audience in the joke, making everyone feel like they were part of the band's inner circle for the night.
But they weren't done there! Spike from the main act, The Quireboys came out to sing 'A Stone's Throw'. The song he recorded with the Soho Dukes. What a great way to end a fabulous set.
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After the support acts the excitement began to really build. It's time for our headliners of the night: Quireboys! Out comes the axe man, Luke Morley and Drummer, Harry James from 'Thunder', followed by the man on the keys, Willie Dowling. The humour already started when Spike came running on to the stage to much applause with Bass player, Nigel Mogg rushing to get ready as Spike had literally taken him by surprise.
Despite being in the latter half of his fifties, you’d never know it watching Spike. He bounded across the stage with the kinetic energy of a twenty-year-old, the intervening decades simply melting away under the house lights. The music was deafening, the energy was off the charts, and the crowd hung on every note.
Spike remains the ultimate 'cheeky chappy', performing with a mischievous glint in his eye and a grin that suggests he’s having more fun than anyone in the room. Beside him is Nigel Mogg, the original bassist. He looked every inch the 80's Rockstar.
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Channelling Steve Harris vibes, Mogg prowled the front of the stage, aiming his bass at the front row like a weapon and firing off riffs into the crowd. He clearly leaned into the adulation, basking in the roar of a fan-base that still loves him as much as they did all those years ago.
The chemistry between all the members showed when all, (including Spike) surrounded Willie Dowling who is sat in the far corner on the keys. Making him feel less isolated and definitely an important member of the band.
The energy levels only dipped during song intervals. Where Spike with his Geordie Charm wooed the audience with hilarious tales and the lovely tribute to the late Guy Bailey, mixed with some lively banter between him and the band members all added to the magic of Spikes showmanship.
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Spike’s vocals might have changed over the years, but his performance hasn't missed a beat. The man is on absolute top form—an incredible showman from the first song to the last. He and the band had the crowd completely mesmerized from start to finish. There’s nothing quite like watching seasoned pros show everyone how it’s done!
Excellent performance and set.
By Dale Holford





















































































