Shakespears Sister - Western flavour at the seaside!!!

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Do you want Shakespears Sister to 'Stay' ?

Shakespears Sister *** performed at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend this month as part of their 'Ride Again' tour. The tour celebrates both a greatest hits album 'Singles Party' and the new EP 'Ride Again' with the return of Marcella Detroit to the band after a twenty six year long split. Being the first EP after so long I was expecting something special. The question is, why did it take them so long to reform?, and where we going to get the answers to this tonight.

A lot of people were true fans that really love anything and everything Shakespears Sister throw at them, however a lot of people had only heard of  one or two songs and were more facinated by the history and back story of the band than the music itself. They were very open and touched base on this subject several times throughout the show, If im honest I was only ten when the band broke up so dont really care who said what. Opening up with their hit 'Goodbye cruel World' which was released way back in 1992, you knew Shakespears Sister were really a band that made an impact when they first came out.

The band were incredibly big in the 90's with their dark edgy Pop sound, and  I just wanted to know what they were bringing to the table with their new music. 'Ride Again' was written out in the desert in America and they certainly incorporate that American sound in the new music. 'When she finds You' is a beautifully written song and has a real old fashioned feel about it that I just loved. Which I really liked but is it current to 2019?, I really don't know... but do I really care because it sounded really good.

Theres a lot of girl power going on in this EP incoroporating personal experiences. 'See you next Tuesday' a real crowd pleaser, upbeat Blues vibe is no exception. Overall 'Ride Again' was clearly well written from the heart, each song very personal. They have definitley toned down on the dark Pop side of things and have moved to a more Blues / Rock sound. Thankfully their vocals still give it that ring of Shakespears Sister and shows how they have matured as musicians, even if some of the high notes in older hits in their set are either missing or not as high as they used to be... but come on I can't even hit them now... so think we should give them a little bit of a break.

The performance itself was enjoyable to watch. Marcella Detroit kept her cool charm throughout showing what a great musician she is whilst Siobhan Fahey so full of energy was really able to get everyone going, its a delight to watch her. Only thing I would say is that some of the sound they produced back in the 90's could not be recreated in 2019, to the disappointment of the audience. I don't know this is because lack of practice or stage rust, but it did make a differnece in the enjoyment of the show... maybe they can fix this in time.

Shakespears Sister - Setlist
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Goodbye cruel World
Heroine
Dangerous Game
Dirty Mind
My 16th Apology
Heaven is in your Arms
The Trouble with Andre
Emotional Thing
See you Next Tuesday
Time to say Goodbye
All the Queen’s Horses
When she finds You 
Black Sky
Stay
Are we in love Yet
I don’t Care
You’re History
Catwoman
Hello (Turn your radio On)

Review and Photo's by Matt Gardiner

Check Out! the Video for 'All the Queens Horses' Below...