Francis Rossi 21/04/23
It's been nigh on 2 months and I am extremely sorry for the delay!!
I couldn't believe my luck, seeing AND meeting someone I'd come to love so dearly, and come to feel like I knew so well!
The weekends following Francis Rossi's show were hectic. I was either out of Liverpool completely, or otherwise wrapped up seeing friends!
I arrived in Warrington after working in the morning, checked into my hotel and got ready, having something to eat before arriving at the venue at 5pm for the MEET AND GREET! There were no words at the time, or even now, to explain how I was feeling in the queue. Nervous, yet... numb, at the same time. It was very strange.
It seemed that each of us were going in one by one, which was equal parts a relief and terrifying, haha. My belongings were taken by one of the staff members and laid down safely by the door and I took my place in line.
The father and daughter in front of me left Francis' table, where he was sat quite comfortably to sign memorabilia and chat, and I stepped forwards. He smiled at me, offered his hand as I said, "Hiiiii!", shook it and sat down. I was introduced to him as Sam, and he repeated, "Sam? (I nod) I know why you like to be called Sam, would you like me to tell you?"
"Yes please", I giggled.
"It's because when you hear your full name, it means you're in trouble!"
"Well when my mum uses my middle name in the mix, then I'm REALLY in trouble!!"
"(while signing my book) well, my daughter, Keira Tallulah, hates it because she thinks she's in trouble, but I like the name Keira Tallulah!"
"Oh, yes, it's a lovely name!"
We were then interrupted by his onstage partner, who was playing photographer for the meet 'n' greet, as he asked us to face him for some posed photos. He had taken around 10 more natural photos during the encounter, and Francis started moaning that we were in a stupid position to face the camera, and we had been having a lovely chat, haha!
My absolute FAVOURITE <3
After the photos were taken, he made sure to let me know that they had a "very fancy wooden box" out in the foyer of the venue, and if I wanted to ask him any questions, I could write one out and put it in there for him to read out during the show! I looked towards the corner of the room, trying to think of something, but he grinned at me, pointed and laughed, "You've just thought of one, haven't you?". I laughed in response and played along because I, in fact, had not, but pretended by answering, "Mayybeee...". He must have thought that I had come up with a rude or cheeky question, Haha! He laughed again and we stood to part ways.
I thanked him for everything, we shook hands again and agreed that it was lovely to meet each other, I was handed back my things and I made my way out into the venue bar. I bought myself a cider and stood awkwardly by myself for a while before bravely half-joining in a conversation between a young lad and his dad who were stood to my right. I apologised if I had spoken out of turn and they assured me that it was fine; they hadn't realised I was alone! They were amazed when I said how many times I'd seen Quo (31 times, which to me still sounds weird to say!), and I laughed and nodded when the dad stated, "Wow, so you must be a big fan then!".
We chatted for the remainder of our waiting time, exchanged Instagram accounts, and I said I was considering going to see Francis again on this tour in October, since I had already had so much fun, in St Helens! I received an Instagram message recently that the young lad had bought a ticket to that show, so I will definitely be purchasing a ticket for myself soon!
We were seated, and the lights soon went down just past 7:30pm. I had the hugest smile on my face before Francis even took the stage, and when he did, he did so to rapturous applause.
Setlist:
Pictures of Matchstick Men
(April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays
Spinning Wheel Blues
In My Chair
Gerdundula
Claudie
Rock 'n' Roll
Break the Rules
Down the Dustpipe
Burning Bridges (On and Off and on Again)
What You're Proposing
And It's Better Now
Nanana
Tongue Tied
Marguerita Time
Rockin' All Over the World (John Fogerty cover)
Paper Plane
Caroline
The performance consisted of Francis with his partner in crime, also on guitar and backing vocals, Andy Brook (the aforementioned photographer, if memory serves anyway) performing songs from the extensive catalogue of Quo throughout the years. I almost exploded with joy when (April) Spring, Summer and Wednesdays started!!
Claudie has always been a favourite of mine aswell, surprisingly since I heard it acoustically on the 'Aquostic' album in 2014. Rock 'n' Roll sounded magical; Francis' voice remains as strong today as it was 50 years ago! He told stories in between each song, about his upbringing, the band's origins, the way he writes songs and the way he took inspiration from his own heroes, such as the Everly brothers. How Quo found their infamous sound, watching the Blues and how couples would dance to that irresistible 12-bar shuffle.
I thought of ammiemay when he started What You're Proposing! It was so fun! :D And It's Better Now (another favourite that I discovered via 'Aquostic'), Nananana (a very cute little boppy tune) and Tongue Tied slowed the festivities down nicely. Tongue Tied is a lesser known track from their otherwise famous 'In Search of the Fourth Chord' album. I'd forgotten how beautiful it is! Francis' voice, as stated before, sounded so strong and vibrant; so colourful and bright.
I couldn't hold back the joy when he started Caroline; it is a beautifully orchestrated, slowed down and much more blues version. Francis performs it on his solo tours, and to hear it stripped back even further and acoustically again, since 'Aquostic' anyway, felt like such a treat.
It was so wonderful, listening to how his magnificent brain works, how much he adores music and watching how much music simply runs through his veins. You can see the passion vibrate through his body, as he moved with his guitar. His whole body contorts and writhes with each note. It's mesmerising.
Click to viewThis show was, without doubt, one of the best I have ever been lucky enough to attend. I couldn't shake the smile spread across my face as I walked back to my hotel, phoning mum and telling her everything, of course!
To have met Francis was a longtime dream come true, and I don't care how dramatic that sounds. He and Quo shaped my late teenage years, they helped me get through a lot of figuring myself out, helped me build confidence and helped me to learn how to be comfortable with myself. I travelled the furthest to see them; I travelled alone and met some wonderful people, many of whom I still believe to be my closest friends today. I didn't say any of that, typically, as I was so awestruck that he was sat a mere metre away from me. Besides, he hears it daily, I'm sure. That doesn't lessen anyone's feelings, of course, nor does it mean he takes any such stories less seriously than others. He appreciates every fan, and how much he and Quo mean to them as individuals, but I just didn't personally feel it appropriate to share such thoughts at that particular time.
I know that I will never again experience those feelings that I experienced meeting Francis for the first time, and I hope I remember them for the rest of my life. <3