Concert Reviews

Venue: Shepherds Bush Empire London
Author: Dave Wood
Date: 15 Dec 2008

Ten years ago Delirious? announced plans for a concert in London shortly before Christmas. It started a decade long tradition that almost certainly came to an end tonight. With queues stretching around the block and a 'sold-out' sign in the window, the crowd came expecting festive fun and music, aka The Delirious? Christmas Show.

Dressed in a cloak and crown and sitting on a white arm chair with a lamp alongside, Martin opened the night with the scene setting Kingdom Of Comfort. Loosing his costume to reveal a grey suit to match the rest of the band, Martin launched into God Is Smiling before Rain Down flooded the crowd. Reaching into their back catalogue Delirious? performed My Glorious next, with extraordinary venom and pace.

Recent single Love Will Find A Way trotted into sight with its almost haunting opening guitars and crashing drums. The frenzied Bliss rocked along next, with rapid flashes of light and distorted vocals.

A change of direction and one of the nights first signs of festivity gently eased its way along next. A dozen children marched smartly to the middle of the stage, picked up microphones and provided the perfect backing choir for All God's Children. The beauty of the song hung in the air as the choir repeated the chorus over and over. As most of the band left the stage, Stu G joined the children in the middle and led them into the first Christmas song of the night, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.

Another beauty in the form of How Sweet The Name was next, before the raucous History Maker wrestled the band back to life. The songs final moments were exquisite with Paul beating his drums with incredible force, while Jon and Stu stood in front of him, arms working over time as they fought battle with their guitars.

Seamlessly joining the beat into Break The Silence, there was no let up in pace until the song ended and silence finally fell. Next Jesus Blood brought an air of praise, while Martin sandwiched the stunning Majesty between a few choruses of True Colours and How Great Is our God. Paint The Town Red brought the main set to a boisterous end, leaving the crowd in no mood to go home.

Thankfully Delirious? has a few more songs lined up for the encore, starting with a return to stage for the kids choir for Merry Christmas Everyone, complete with Santa hats for the band. The epic Stare The Monster Down came next, with its mile high guitar riffs and clashing cymbals.

Saving one final masterpiece till last, Delirious? gently unleashed My Soul Sings, the pure, heart-crying song of praise. Midway through, a snow machine in the center of the stage burst to life, showering the white stuff over Martin and out into the crowd. Ten years of Christmas Shows came to an incredible end - rarely has there been a better one.