“Fantastic gig. A 40 yr wait over. You guys were brilliant. The Room smashed it too. Thank you Thank you.” Chris Chapman
“FAB Band in a Legendary Venue!! 39 yrs since the last time…what an amazing night!! Looking forward to the new album and tour!!” Alan on Twitter
“About last night… Red Guitars played a storming set and then brought on a special guest for the first encore. Elton John wasn’t available, so they had to make do with me. The biggest of thanks to the guys for asking me to join them onstage. It really, really meant a lot.” Roger Millington
“Superb performance last night guys! Brought back so many memories of when I last saw you when I was at Hull University back in the early eighties. Such a delight to watch a band who are obviously having a blast on stage and enjoying every minute!” Mark Lewis
“Euphoric version of this encore favourite last night, as the gig buddy I’d been talking to at this and previous Red Guitars shows disappeared from my side just before the encore, then was surprisingly called onto stage! He hadn’t mentioned a word to me about this happening (apparently it’s just because I didn’t ask!) but still fabulous so I won’t hold that against him! And hope the band don’t mind me posting this, given the lovely circumstances….” Tim Bourne, 100 Club
“Fabulous night thank you. Enjoyed the new material. Hallam was outstanding.” Virtual Virgil London
“Cracking show at the 100 club last night – thank you! I did my homework and listened to Slow to Fade the evening before – I had forgotten what a great LP it is. I would have worn my Czeck It Out T-shirt but it seems to have shrunk over the years…” David Woodhouse
“Two words keep reappearing about this tour – smiling and joy. Thanks for making the world a brighter place.” Mikey
“Another fantastic gig and thumbs up to the new tracks, especially the one with a bit of a Spaghetti Western and dub aura.” Neil March, London
“39 years since I last saw Red Guitars FAB to see them again playing most of Slow to Fade Album and some cracking new choonz at 100 Club, London.” Alan Wareham
“Just popped in from the other place to say thank-you to Red Guitars for a marvellous gig at 100 Club London – 40 years feels like a long time to wait to see a band…but it was fantastic and joyful.” Martin G
“100 club was a great setting for an amazing gig. Music still as fresh and relevant as ever. New tracks sounded amazing. Looking forward to the new album. The Room smashed it too!” Chris Chapman
“That was absolutely bloody awesome. The new songs sound fantastic, can’t wait for the new album to come out.” Ian Colquhoun, London
“I’m still buzzing from seeing Red Guitars in Birmingham on Thursday. So uplifting. Red Guitars gigs should be available on prescription. They convey such joy and exuberance. And the feeling is slow to fade. Catch these guys whenever you can. “Strike a chord in the coldest heart / Marimba jive – jive and survive!”” Tony Gillam
“Shuffled my day round to see Red Guitars at O2Academy Birmingham – one of my better decisions! Didn’t see them live first time round, so have waited 40 odd years to see these songs live! And they played Marimba Jive! Whole band was awesome.” Mike Resound
“Birmingham, reminded me of my 80s childhood, but seeing them perform tonight made me realise how well they have crafted their skill, amazing live performance, and I think I’ve fallen in love again. Great band, world class bass player.” Edward Orange
“Red Guitars were insanely good. Thank the lord I live in Brighton so I can see them a second time so soon.” Stephen Smith
“The tour posters are excellent, typical Red Guitars, not taking the corporate stance, going their own way.” Steve Jay Design
“What a wonderful evening in Norwich. I met other fans of Red Guitars, saw friends I’d not seen in decades, and heard the incredible Red Guitars play. Thank you for tonight and all the years of joy your music has given me.” Tassie
“What an amazing night in Bristol! You sounded brilliant and it’s great to have some new songs. Haven’t smiled so much in years. Thank you for coming to the south west!!” Chris Crane Bristol
“Red Guitars absolutely brilliant in Bristol tonight!” Lee Flaneur Bristol
“Almost 40 years after I first saw them (supporting The Smiths, Rock City Nottingham, 15 February, 1984), Red Guitars still amazing. Best three-guitar band on the planet…” Darrell Mann Bristol
“Great to see the African inspired and still politically relevant after 40 years Red Guitars tonight at Exchange Bristol” Cllr Helen Thornton
“You were cooking on gas last night and the new songs got the applause they deserve. See you next in Oxford!’ Michael Yeats
“What an awesome show last night in Bristol, we had such a good time. Loved the new songs! Opening with Dive was sweet!” Rick Whitman
On with the tour and the last northern gig at the Dorothy Pax in Sheffield before we head south.
“Red Guitars were an absolute treat again. Some belting new songs too!” Eddie Coates-Madden
“Just got back from Sheffield. Red Guitars were as wonderful as ever. Small stage, huge sound.” Roger Millington
“When you’ve waited 40 years to see your favourite band from 1983 and they’re still bloomin’ brilliant!” Nigel King
“Magnificent gig by Red Guitars at the lovely Dorothy Pax bar down by Sheffield canal basin. It’s like the Cavern. Thanks to all concerned. Love the new tracks, bring on the LP.” Pop Music Tourism in Yorkshire
“A brilliant show as always from Red Guitars at The Dorothy Pax tonight.” Peter Matejic
“Wonderful night, so good. After all this time still fantastic!” Roger Wilde
The Sheffield gig was wonderful! One of the great nights! Terry Guest
“The pure joy in these photos has made the gig at The Bullingdon in Oxford next Monday an essential rather than a possible! See you there!” Michael Ryan
Wow, that was a hot one! We had a brilliant time, playing for two hours – a set of favourites and three new songs – to a sold out full house on the hottest night of the year. What an atmosphere!
Thanks to everyone who came along, sang along and jumped about at our Good Technology 2023 launch gig at O’Rileys, Hull. It was a whirlwind and we had a fantastic night. Thanks to Terra Fin for a superb set opening the show, Jeff Parsons on the SP404, and to Darren and the team at O’Rileys.
And a big thanks to everyone in the audience, especially all who travelled to Hull from far and wide for making it a fantastic night to remember!
Photos by Richard Duffy-Howard
Red Guitars are:
Jeremy Kidd vocals, Hallam Lewis lead guitar, John Rowley rhythm guitar, Lou Duffy-Howard bass, and Matt Higgins drums. Thanks to guest guitarist Jos Allen.
Look out for UK tours dates coming soon.
Good Technology 2023 Order Now! June 24th marks 40 years since Good Technology was released. Low stock remaining – limited edition red vinyl 12” extended remix to celebrate the anniversary. Info and pre-order at the link: https://redguitars.co.uk/goodTech12inch.html
“Just listening to a pre-release copy of Red Guitars extended 2023 remix of ‘Good Technology.’ And I don’t believe what I’ve heard. By a country mile, one of the greatest pieces of music I’ve heard in YEARS.” London Peaky Webzine
Feast your eyes on all nine and a half minutes of the brand new video which accompanies the extended re-mixed and augmented edition of Red Guitars number 1 Indie hit Good Technology – originally released 40 years ago to the day.
Red Guitars video shoot photo by Richard Duffy-Howard
It’s been a great two weeks of Red Guitars! All the band together again, much of it all round at JR’s place – room rehearsals working up the new album, mixing, recording extra parts and plotting next year’s anniversary release.
This week, we’ve had a fantastic time playing the new songs loud on the big stage with an excellent sound at O’Rileys in Hull, very exciting!
We’ve had three fab days video shoot with Factor Fifty Films at great locations.
And absolutely loads of laughs with friends throughout.
So now, Hal’s preparing to go back to Cape Town, the rest of us as near and far as Brighton and Yorkshire and indeed for now, Rome. We’ll continue polishing up the songs online. Here we are (above) on day two of the film shoot.
Below, room rehearsals, all round at JR’s
Live and loud new song rehearsals at O’Rileys. We’ve gone ampless for these rehearsals. The amp is being used as a table! Sounds excellent. Only my bass amp to lug around. I might have to investigate …
Hal’s nailing some licks, sounds fantastic. look at Pepper, she’s singing along.
We’ve had a brilliant time!
If our new songs have a touch of spaghetti western to them it’s because of the films we’ve been watching after rehearsals.
So, it’s hasta la vista for now, back to online chatting and playing for a while. More stories coming too, so see you next time! 🤠😎
So that was it, our Slow to Fade reunion tour was over and we had a joyous adventure and the response has been unexpectedly amazing for us. Here’s the last set of photos and round up from the final gig of the tour at Birmingham’s O2 Institute. Big high five to all involved and a heartfelt thank you from all of us to everyone who came to the shows. Here’s to the next chapter!
Here we are, all the original band back together, Hallam Lewis, Jeremy Kidd, John Rowley, Matt Higgins and Lou Duffy-Howard, joined in 2022 by Jos Allen and Doug Swallow.
Fab set of photographs by Richard Duffy-Howard, have a look:
Thanks to our special guests Turning Black Like Lizards for a fab set and being great to work with. A big shout out to those who have been to more than one of the shows, sometimes nearly all of them, it’s been great to see familiar friendly faces – and to Andy who came the furthest to see us, all the way from Dubai to Birmingham.
Thank you to everyone who sent us lovely messages on social media, here’s a few:
“The Birmingham gig was breathtakingly brilliant. I still haven’t come back down to Earth yet! Absolutely inspiring.” Tony Gillam
“I only wish I could have attended more than just the one; it was an absolutely fabulous night. If you can do it again, please, please do! Failing that, a live album would be a very lovely thing. Thank you.” David Brown
“Red Guitars it’s taken 4 decades to see this band live, utterly awesome. A great night, you all sounded immense. And you all looked as if you enjoyed it.” Chuck Middleton
“Was the 3rd night in a row seeing this great band – last seen in 1986! Such utter joy to see these amazing people and musicians performing the songs that have shaped me, with sounds that turn you inside out. Thank you!!” @MrRober16070170
“A 38-year gap, but definitely worth the wait to see Red Guitars, recently reformed with all the original members. Thanks for a great show!”
“Overjoyed to catch you live again last night – lovely to see the whole gang back together. Thanks for a great night – you nailed it! Many thanks also for all of you signing my 38-year-old gig poster (adding to Johnny Marr!) Safe journeys back to your various homes & continents.” Tim Bourne
“I think that the whole tour has been so enjoyable for everyone involved, and especially for the fans attending the gigs. The songs are just so good, and the musicianship has been spot-on, Jerry’s lyrics ever prescient and moving.” Ian Stacey
“I saw Red Guitars last week. First gig in over two years. A great night, and a real mental health boost.“ Pete Moxon
“Last night was one of those ‘moments’. A band that clearly meant a lot to people, sonically and politically. And the lyrics are so fresh still. Shaken not Stirred, Good Technology, Sting in the Tale, chillingly spot on. Am still buzzing.” Steve Morgan
“Lovely stuff. I was a fan. Had GT (which still sounds great) after seeing them on The Tube and Marimba Jive. They got heavy rotation from me back in the day.” Steven McKevitt
“I never caught them first time round so this was a MUST!!! Excellent night, that bass, those guitars. Cracking night, much love!!!” The New Fools
“Yup, brilliant night ! And another vote for more gigs please!” Mike Jeffries
“Brilliant gig; and really nice to be able to talk to some of the band.” John McCabe
“They say never meet your Heroes. Well that does not apply to the Red Guitars. Brilliant band, Brilliant Gig and brilliant people. I waited 38 years to see them live and it was worth every single minute.”
“April ended with yet another gig in Birmingham and this was the best I’ve been to in many a long year. Birmingham’s O2 Institute played host to a reformed Red Guitars – one of my favourite indie bands of the 1980s. In the early eighties, while the aforementioned Spandau Ballet were topping the charts with hits like True and Gold, Hull-based Red Guitars were crafting a unique blend of indie rock and African jit-jive and releasing a classic gem of an album called Slow to Fade. Seeing Red Guitars play songs like ‘Remote Control,’ ‘Crocodile Tears’ and ‘Good Technology’ more than 30 years after this short-lived band split up seemed nothing short of miraculous and I was completely overwhelmed with a combination of joy and nostalgia for my youth. It was a pleasure to shake hands with bassist Lou Loudhailer, (who has featured elsewhere on this blog as part of Agent Starling.)” Tony Gillam, Passengers in Time
“Please do another show fantastic !!” Keith Phillips
“What a night. I’ve waited since 1984 for this and you did not disappoint. Brilliant. Please tour again……PLEASE.” Steve Buck
And to close the post, Rob Slade’s review made me laugh out loud. I didn’t know he was there until the next day when it popped up on Facebook:
“On Saturday night my cousin Lou Duffy-Howard was playing for her band Red Guitars in the final concert of their first tour for many years, possibly their only and last gig so I felt the need to see them even though I get bored after five minutes unless the music is really good, eg Beethoven’s 9th
It was a good decision – see the video … where I’ve alternated their promotional video of Good Technology from 40 years ago with my video of the band on Saturday. It’s the same band, the same people, playing the same music and better on Saturday night. My video is better as well!
I’m in the middle of playing a tennis marathon of more than 30 tennis matches in 30 days so so fitting it in wasn’t easy
On Saturday I had a match at David Lloyd Trafford at 12pm which finished at 2:30pm and the gig started in Birmingham at 6pm
So it was just possible but I didn’t really feel like making the effort for something I probably wouldn’t like in a place I didn’t like (Birmingham) so I had a leisurely shower and coffee (enjoy the moment, why rush was my new rule of thumb).
I tried but failed get the online tickets through ticket master but I decide doing this journey would be a challenge and adventure. Luckily Man U wasn’t playing or this would have been impossible, because the my route was past the Temple of Mammon.
I got to the excellent NCP car park in Store St (£6.80 for 24 hours) with 30 minutes to spare and I’m by the platform with 15 mins to spares when I see a Greggs.
Who can walk past a Greggs if you haven’t eaten all day (the emanating smells reminded me)
I queue for 5 mins then I’m served by a slow motion Koala Bear who is cute but takes five minutes to assemble my vegan sausage roll, vegetable bake, pizza slice and assorted sandwiches so I figure a coffee is a step to far. My diet is not going well!
I make the train by two minutes. Clearly I enjoy living on the edge.
At Birmingham New St I discover that the cheapest hotel near the centre of Birmingham is £150 a night which is at least twice what I’m willing to pay for for somewhere to sleep. How can that be? Who wants to stay in Birmingham on a Saturday night or any night?
So I book the Belmont Hotel, £65 and four miles west in Hagley but that means no time to check in and leave my bag.
Its now 6:30 and the gig is from 6:00 to 9:30 but the Red G’s won’t be on until 7:30 I figure so still plenty of time.
I get to the O2 Academy for 6:45 where I discover that the Red G’s are playing at the O2 Institute (why don’t our brains ever read the second word of well known two word phrases?) but I meet there two Red G fans who look coolish so that’s a good sign, they have at least two fans who are not weird
I get to the O2 Institute by 7:05 and I’m refused entry because I have a bag bigger than A4. Who reads admission rules!?
I arrive back at New St station and I’m overjoyed to find a left luggage depot. I didn’t think they still existed. Not cheap. £7.50 for three hours.
It’s now 7:30 so I’m gonna miss the beginning of Red G’s and I’m getting a bit travel worn. I need a decent beer or two and a sit down
My Camra ap tells me there is only one good pub in the entire eastern half of Birmingham city centre, the Spotted Dog and Gmaps tells me it’s not far from the venue.
So I can make the Spotted D and still get to the gig for the last hour at 8:30.
Gmaps is wrong however and while the Spotted Dog is good, well worth a visit, well worth missing 30 mins of a gig, I finally make it to the venue at 8:45.
But I’m almost out of phone battery. I always carry a powerpak back-up but I had the wrong lead
Can you imagine seeing something really really good, perhaps the only time you may ever see this thing and you can’t take even one photo, not even one minute of video? I can’t, and I couldn’t, so I set off back to the station to get the lead from my bag. I calculated that if I ran I could be back at the venue for the final 30 mins
On my way, a few hundred yards, I pass a small Asian convenience store that looked like it might magically have anything and it did, or at least an Apple lightning lead which pretty much is everything. How is that possible? So I’m back in the venue at 8:55, only 35 minute of music left but obviously the the best bit of the gig, and 35 minutes is my boredom threshold for doing nothing, no matter how good the entertainment, unless it’s Beethoven’s 9th symphony, and even then I might have to wriggle and stifle a few yawns.
The Red Guitars is an alternative rock band (skank with soul?) and not overly accessible music but it was good, and some bits where in fact awesome, so well worth the journey. If they play again, I’ll be there for longer. Perhaps an hour
Birmingham not as bad as I thought btw. Lots of interesting or beautiful buildings and spaces, and I almost like the accent. How can you not, if it’s how Noddy Holder or Frank Skinner speak.” Rob Slade
Heres’s to everyone who came to the Red Guitars Slow to Fade reunion tour. We had a brilliant time. Looking forward to the next adventure …
A big thanks to Steve Homer at AEG Presents for inviting us to reform for this tour and coming to see us play. The AEG reps at every gig have been brilliant. We have truly had an absolute ball! We’re looking forward to what comes next …
A massive thank you to everyone who came to our Slow to Fade 2022 tour. It’s been a joyous adventure, and the response has been unexpectedly amazing for us. Our show at the legendary 100 Club in London’s Oxford Street was sold out and crammed with people dancing and singing along, teeming with friends old and new.
Thanks to the team at the venue and a special thanks to sound engineer Pascal who did a superb job for us, we had a great sound which made for a great atmosphere for us on stage.
So, here we are, all the original band back together for our Slow to Fade tour, Hallam Lewis, Jeremy Kidd, John Rowley, Matt Higgins and Lou Duffy-Howard, joined in 2022 by Jos Allen and Doug Swallow.
Fab set of photographs by Richard Duffy-Howard, have a look:
Thanks to Rob Telford for his great shots:
Thank you to our special guests Fragile Creatures for a terrific set to open the show they’re here sound-checking together with Rich’s other photos of the day:
Thank you to everyone who sent us lovely messages on social media and reviews here’s a few:
“So much joy in the room for @RedGuitars at the @100clubLondon last night. Uplifting to see brilliant musicians playing together again after 38 years. Slow to fade, as the song says.” John Pullman
“Friday evening with the fabulous Red Guitars at The 100 Club. I had waited 35 years for this tour and they did not disappoint!” Rob Telford
“I’m at a gig – a real live gig with Red Guitars and they are rocking!” Liz Treacher
“What an extraordinary bunch of musicians @RedGuitars. I will need my jaw rewiring after watching that. Utterly joyous. I am 17 again.” Steve M
“You were absolutely brilliant. Overwhelmingly so. (I NEARLY plucked up the courage to speak to you in the audience during the support but didn’t want to intrude). Thank you so much. Seeing you again 38! years after Coventry Poly meant a lot. Heartbeat Go!!” PeteM.
“Wonderful to see Red Guitars in London last night. Absolutely loved it! I was 17 when I first saw them and I felt 17 again. Hoping to see them in 2060, if not (preferably) before!” Andrew Hook
“Last night was one of those ‘moments’. A band that clearly meant a lot to people, sonically and politically. And the lyrics are so fresh still. Shaken not Stirred, Good Technology, Sting in the Tale, chillingly spot on. Am still buzzing.” Steve Morgan
“Wow guys what an extra special treat to see you at the 100 club last night I had the best fun, thank you best wishes to all from David”
“I knew you were good. I didn’t realise after 38 years away it could still be THAT good. Such an intricate sound, yet so accessible. Great onstage chemistry, too.”
“Red Guitars on top form at The 100 Club last night. I described Brighton as brilliant, and this was better than Brighton.“ Roger Millington
“Two absolutely stunning gigs – last week in Manchester and last night in London. Please don’t leave it another 38 years until your next tour… ‘cos I might be getting on a bit by then.” David Gibson
“Amazing night at @100clubLondon with stellar sets by @RedGuitars @FragileCreatures. Great to meet the amazing Lou @LoudhailerUK in person & what a bass guitarist she is. Lovely to see Adam & Neville again & what a great audience.” Neil March
Another full house and belting show for @RedGuitars this time at the 100 Club in London.” Phil Ascough
“I’ve waited 40 years! And I was not disappointed… such a brilliant show full of energy and just the best music!” Tia K Iqbal
“Magnificent gig in London last night.” Keith Phillips
“A stunning evening and nearly forty years after I first saw you live you’ve just got even better. Oh and I even got to replace the t-shirt I lost many years ago.” Simon Maurice
“Fantastic night. Looked like the band were all having a great night too playing a superb set. Thanks.” Darren Lewis
“Thank you for last night, I really enjoyed it. I never thought I’d get the chance to see you live. I’ve loved your music for 35 years and I still play your albums now. Thanks again.” Peter Lane
“It’s not an exaggeration to say I have waited nearly forty years to see you play live. And I was not disappointed.” Gary Couzens
“An iconic band playing an iconic venue, it was pure magic.” Simon Higgins
“… to the unbridled joy of a packed venue, they surge into a scintillating rendition of Marimba Jive, Hallam’s South African inspired guitar figures playing off against Lou’s sumptuous sliding fretless bassline. It takes seconds to establish that Jerry has lost nothing of the power and distinctive character in his voice and the band have lost nothing of their interlocking groove-making chemistry… ” Trust the Doc
Here’s Transistor Bassman’s video of Good Technology at The 100 Club. Keep watching for more clips of the set:
A big thanks to Steve Homer at AEG Presents for inviting us to reform for this tour. The AEG reps at every gig have been brilliant. We have truly had an absolute ball! Here’s to what comes next…
