Van Morrison: Royal Concert Hall Nottingham 18/3/2025.

It had been eight months since me and my niece Lee saw Van one sunny summer’s evening at Westonbirt Arboretum, and now the long dark Winter was finally over, the sun was shining and suddenly it was the Celtic Spring. Time to cut loose and blow a fuse around the regions again, so the day after St Patrick’s Day I got on the train, the train, the train for Nottingham to see the Belfast Cowboy once again. I had chosen Nottingham because it was a chance to catch up with Dave my old friend of over fifty years. I remember watching Van with Dave at Glastonbury 1987, one of his greatest ever performances. Another reason I was keen to see Van again was the glowing reports of his recent concerts in Belfast. The days of big pre-concert fan gatherings in England seem to be a thing of the past, but in Wetherspoons we met John who I last saw at Cheltenham Jazz Fest two years ago. (The food in Wetherspoons was disgusting by the way. I will never go there again). Outside the concert hall it was also nice to have a quick chat with another Vanatic James who I hadn’t seen since Liverpool Irish Fest in 2018.

We had great seats near the front in Row E. Promptly at 7.30 some of the band Dave, Sam, John, Neal, Chris & Matt shuffled on stage and started playing some instrumental numbers. I quite enjoyed it at first because they were funky and reminded me of Booker T & The MGs. I expected after a couple of tunes Van would come on and start the show, but they played for what seemed ages to me, and it became apparent that this was meant to be a support act. I got quite bored after a while, and then there was an interval. After what seemed an eternity, the band returned, and Dave Keary announced ‘Mr Van Morrison!’. “Thank god for that”, I thought to myself. 

The opening song was Only A Dream from the Down The Road album of 2002, with Van enjoying himself blowing saxophone in front of the eight-piece band who were Dave Keary (Guitar), Sam Burgess (Bass), John McCullough (Keyboards), Neal Wilkinson (Drums), Dana Masters (Vocals), Jolene O'Hara (Vocals), Christopher White (Sax & Reeds), and Matt Holland (Trumpet). 

Dana & Jolene.

Next up was Back On Top which has never been one of my favourite Van songs, but Matt made himself noticed on trumpet and Van blew his harp. The audience gave Days Like This a warm round of applause when they recognised it. I don’t like Broken Record very much and find it a bit irritating. All was forgiven though with Down To Joy which is the new single from Van’s forthcoming album Remembering Now coming out in June and eagerly anticipated by most Van fans because it is nearly all brand-new original songs. Down To Joy was featured in the Kenneth Branagh film Belfast and the band gelled together and performed it superbly in Nottingham. I much prefer it when the band all play together like this and not playing individual solos one after another. 

Chris & Matt.

I never tire of hearing Enlightenment which is one of my favourite spiritually uplifting Van songs. (See video below) When Van says in the lyrics ‘Enlightenment, don’t know what it is’ I don’t believe he means it like that because enlightenment is always being NOW and feeling the silence, which Van has sung about for decades. As Van says, ‘Wake Up!’. During Ain’t Gonna Moan No More Van just stood still, serene as the Buddha, surveying the audience as the band all took yet more solos. Cleaning Windows/ Be Bop A Lula is a fun song from the classic Beautiful Vision album. I have gone off the ‘read my Christmas Humphreys book on Zen’ lyric though, ever since finding out that Humphreys was the prosecutor in the Ruth Ellis murder trial and sent Ruth to the gallows. What sort of Buddhist is that?. Van then donned his electric guitar for the great hypnotic Green Rocky Road. Dave Keary also played some awesome guitar and Chris excelled himself on a reed instrument that I’m not sure what you call. 

I’m not that keen on Symphony Sid, but it gives Dana a chance to exercise her tonsils. I didn’t recognise the Sam Cooke song Laughin’ & Clownin’, but John told me what it was later. The upbeat Wild Night brought the audience to life and then it was Moondance which the audience enjoyed, but I have heard too often, and I’d heard enough solos for one night thank you very much. I’m not tired of hearing Wonderful Remark though which was one of the evenings highlights for me. Then it was Precious Time, a jaunty little song where Van reminds us that we are all going to die. Thank you, Van. However, Van tells us that the fire's still in him and the passion it burns, ‘til hell freezes over and the rivers run dry, so that’s good. I don’t know why, but when Van changed microphones and sat at the piano for the epic Vanlose Stairway his voice suddenly became stronger and clearer. I wished the crew had put the piano sideways on to the audience because with Van facing the audience from behind the piano you could hardly see him. That is a minor quibble though to another highlight of the show. 

For somebody fast approaching his 80^th birthday Van’s voice sounds incredible. The Nottingham audience instantly recognised Bright Side Of The Road and applauded loudly. I knew the show was coming towards a close when Van sang the Sonny Boy Williamson song Help Me which has been in the repertoire since the year dot. Van left the stage but soon returned to send the crowd home happy with the rousing Gloria. Van then departed for good. The band played on, but I was heading for the exit. I had heard enough solos for one evening. 

Later in the pub I think we all agreed that it was a very enjoyable show, but didn’t quite reach the stellar heights we know Van is capable of. I had been hoping for Summertime In England which he had performed in Belfast, but you have to remember Van’s age, and I thought he probably wanted to save some energy for the next night in Birmingham. So, thank you Van Morrison, and a big hand for the band. PS, thanks to John C for  the great photos.

A big hand for the band!