I would like to add a personal thank you to everyone who shared their memories of various shows by allowing their photo's and reviews to be posted to the TOUR PAGE:

Pete Key, Rich Ward - Classic Rock Photography, Dave Wood, John Wilde, Nick Carter, Avid Unde Isolde, Kerry Hall, Geoff Clarke, Simon Burfield, Tara Lynch Official Page, Neil Parfitt, Rob Wilkins - Devils Gate Media, Mike Evans, Jimmy B. Smith, Steve Johnston - Steve Johnston Photography, Jayson Burns / David Sansoni - Scribbling Sounds, Reg Richardson at RSR-Photography - Rock Stars Rising, Sanja Sharma, Moth Clark, Charlie Raven at Charlie Raven Photography, David Leckie, Jonathan Barry, Maximillian Ziegfried De Kment, Phil Sparkes, Nick Palmer, Vic Wolfie Stanger, Paul H at Musipedia of Metal, Konstantina at Konstantina Frasia Photography, buzz, Lisa at billiebeecreative, Mark McGrogan at ROCK ’N’ LOAD Magazine, Mark Ellis from Shoot The Groove, Robert Forrest, Mark Dean - ANTIHERO, David Pickles at Pickles Rock Photos, Christopher James Ryan, Victoria Purcell at RAMzine, Rock and Metalzine, Graham Geldard at IconPhoto, 50thirdand3rd, NWOBHM, Si Clark, SuLee Cleveland, Sam Coates, Darren McVeigh at Metal Planet Music, Ivor Whitten at Happy Metal Geek, Jesper From, Daniel Ackerley-Holmes, Steve Ritchie, Robb Philpotts, Kate Moore, Steve Russell, Paul W Dixon Photography, Stephen Thompson, Michael Burgess, Gordon Armstrong at G’s Gig Shots, Adam Kennedy - NRR, Sue Ashcroft, Linda Brown, Douglas Burton, Jackie Corby, Ian Webster, Therese W, James Beier at Beier Drums, Sam Mc Glynn, Becky Welton-Fodder, Elizabeth Wiel.

UFO: Vinnie Moore - Phil Mogg - Rob De Luca - Andy Parker - Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore - Rob De Luca - Phil Mogg - Andy Parker

UFO: Phil Mogg - Rob De Luca

UFO: Andy Parker - Rob De Luca - Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg - Vinnie Moore - Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Will you please welcome...

UFO: Phil Mogg - Vinnie Moore - Rob De Luca -
Andy Parker - Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg, Rob De Luca,
Andy Parker

UFO: Phil Mogg, Rob De Luca and Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg, Rob De Luca,
Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg, Rob De Luca and Andy Parker

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg, Rob De Luca,
Andy Parker

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Rob De Luca, Phil Mogg,
Andy Parker, Paul Raymond

UFO: Rob De Luca and Paul Raymond

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg and Rob De Luca

SOLD OUT - Packed House

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Andy Parker

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie and Phil

UFO: Rob De Luca and Phil

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore

Tara Lynch: Drum Garphic

Everyone can look back and put a finger on the band the got them into a certain genre of music. For me, it was UFO. As a tall, gangly teenager, trying to find a tribe, I flirted with several wildly contrasting styles of music (embarrassing tales that will never be told). Then, listening to the radio covertly late one night, I found a new show. Tommy Vance was playing a track recorded live called “Rock Bottom” by a band called UFO. At first it didn’t grab me. Then that riff kicked in, Mogg’s vocals rang out, and I was converted, never to look back. I soon had an LP collection and a stereo capable of prodigious volume, as well as my own electric guitar (my repertoire consisting of poor attempts at covers of many of the bands of the day), but it was UFO and their off-shoots such as MSG that, for the next few years, really shaped my taste. Bizarrely then, they were one of the few bucket list bands that I have somehow missed, other than one, VERY early morning set at Download a few years ago.

So, when Phil Mogg announced that at the age of seventy plus he was calling it a day, I was determined to get up close and personal and make some memories...

...“Too Hot To Handle” had even the distinctly middle-aged, but incredibly passionate, crowd swaying and singing along. The solo by Moore a stunner, not missing a note whilst playing it behind his head. “Burn Your House Down” gave a brief respite, then Raymond picked out a recognisable key line that drew a huge cheer from the crowd. De Luca added a soft bass, Moore came in with a crashing power chord, and the music built, adding layer upon layer for “Love To Love”. For me, this is UFO’s “Stairway”. It is a song that steps outside of the boundaries of “metal” or “rock” with a myriad of influences, pace changes, key changes, and shifts in dynamics. As if that wasn’t enough, they followed it with “Rock Bottom”, and I was in heaven, back in my bedroom listening to the radio in the dark once more.

Of course there was still so much more to come. There was no way UFO were leaving the building without “Doctor Doctor” and finally “Shoot Shoot” to send the fans home having seen their heroes (and mine) for the last time....

READ FULL REVIEW AND VIEW ALL PHOTO's

Review and Photos: Rob Wilkins

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Rob De Luca and Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore, Phil Mogg

UFO: Rob De Luca and Phil Mogg

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Vinnie Moore

SET LIST

Excerpts from the REVIEW:

They’re in very familiar territory with opener Mother Mary. Dapper and shaven-headed, sprightly 70-year-old Mogg’s voice is as strong as ever on a song that underlines his status as one of rock’s most evocative and under-appreciated lyricists. (How many other metal acts would come up with a line like “Would you try to understand a wild colonial boy?”) As ever, Moore subjugates his technical brilliance to the needs of the song, effortlessly emulating Michael Schenker’s distinctive phrasing as his resists any temptation to overplay, having been assimilated into UFO far more effectively than Steve Vai ever was into Whitesnake....

...Set-wise, there are some pleasing digressions into more recent recordings, including two songs (Run Boy Run, Messiah of Love) from the band’s most recent studio album of original material, A Conspiracy of Stars. The lovely, bittersweet Baby Blue from You Are Here makes a very welcome return, permitting Moore to do the acoustic/electric guitar thing, while Burn Your House Down from Seven Deadly – surely the best song they’ve recorded in years – has earned its place among the Strangers in the Night stuff....

...Dispensing his usual gnomic between-song banter, Mogg’s powerful voice has never sounded better. This at a time when certain singers of his vintage (Bob Catley, Ian Anderson, David Coverdale) are clearly struggling. That makes his decision to retire both disappointing and baffling. Perhaps tellingly, he makes absolutely no mention of it tonight. Maybe he’s already changed his mind. Fingers crossed, eh?

UFO: Vinnie, Phil, Rob, Andy, Paul

UFO: Andy Parker

UFO: Vinnie, Phil, Rob, Andy, Paul

UFO: Rob De Luca and Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore and Phil Mogg

UFO: Vinnie, Phil and Paul

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Vinnie, Phil and Rob

UFO: Rob De Luca and Andy Parker

UFO: Phil, Rob and Paul

UFO: Showtime

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Andy Parker

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Paul Raymond

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Rob De Luca

UFO: Vinnie Moore

UFO: Rob De Luca and Paul Raymond

Vinnie and Paul

Phil Mogg

Vinnie and Phil

Rob De Luca

Paul Raymond

Paul Raymond

A View From The Back Of The Room: UFO (Live Review By Paul H)

UFO / TARA LYNCH | LIVE REVIEW

Tramshed, Cardiff, Tue 12 Mar

Veteran hard rock outfit UFO seamlessly beckoned the attention of a loyal fanbase on a weatherbeaten Tuesday night. As part of their 50th anniversary tour – possibly their final one – this sold-out show promised to deliver the influential live wire antics for which the band are revered... 

...Paul Raymond, a revolving fixture of the band throughout their history, exhibited his versatility as a musician, adroitly flitting between keys and rhythm section with a finesse that betrayed his mainstay status during the course of the last four decades. Vinnie Moore lent renewed vitality to the 1977 classic Love To Love, replete with richly-rendered solos, showcasing equally thunderous guitar dexterity on Too Hot To Handle. Chants of the band’s name reverberated throughout the room, anticipating an encore that took the form of signature tracks Doctor Doctor and Shoot Shoot. The latter of which saw Moore, donning a black hat and earning Santana jibes from Mogg, proceeding to tear through with eviscerating technical precision. A two-hour set that emphasised the five-piece’s proto-metal legacy and undimmed durability.

words CHRIS HAMILTON-PEACH - ©2019 buzz, Wales What's On Guide

READ FULL REVIEW HERE

Tonight at this sold out show we are blessed to see UFO on their last ever tour after fifty years in the making (1969- 2019). It’s just crazy, but all good things must come to an end. What UFO have shown tonight is that no matter what your age is, as long as you love rock then tonight we’re in paradise!...

...They can still give a performance as if they were in their teens. I cannot fault this show in any way whatsoever, they were on point not missing a beat, the vocals were perfect, the guitar solos were incredible and the whole atmosphere was like we stood back in time. What I think makes this more unique is that there are three long term original members Phil, Andy Parker (drums) and Paul Raymond (keyboardist, rhythm guitar). Despite Vinnie moore (lead guitarist) being in the band no more than sixteen years I must say his guitar playing is simply magical, the crowd were mesmerised by it!...

...Picture this, the crowd must have an average in the mid 50 – 60’s and they’re reacting like a bunch of teens. It was majestic as hell and just shows that rock will never die. Fifty years UFO have been going on and tonight we’re are honored to witness this show. I guess now it will be watching their live shows on the internet from here, a shame its come to an end, but their spirit will live on so long as we let it. READ THE FULL RAMzine REVIEW

Review and photos by Christopher James Ryan - ©2019, all rights reserved

Hello, My name is Chris Ryan I'm 25 and i am a photographer/Reviewer. I love going to gigs ride my motorbike, drink booze, game and of course take photographs. If you come to gigs you'll probably see me in the press pit being a nut job or sipping alcohol while writing up notes \m/

website | FB page | Magazines

Who would have thought that after changing their name from Hocus Pocus to UFO in 1969 and releasing their space-rock debut, UFO 1 the year after, UFO would tread the boards for 50 years. The band have come a long way and achieved notoriety and success in equal measures since their debut release...

...Tonight’s show kicks off with “Mother Mary” in blistering style, Mogg’s vocals belying his 70 years. Most singers are seeing their vocal powers dwindling by this ripe age. Not Mogg. Phil’s voice is the centre piece of all things UFO and it never let’s him down through the 90 minute set. As good as he’s ever been. Mother Mary is swiftly followed by “We Belong To The Night” from 1982’s “Mechanix” album.

A full throttle, rocking “Lights Out” really get’s the party started. Make no mistake, this is a real celebration of 50 years of one of UK Rock’s great institutions.

“Baby Blue” showcases both the delicate side of Mogg’s delivery and the effortless power his voice holds. If anyone wasn’t feeling emotional, they were now.

This isn’t just the Phil Mogg show though. UFO are most definitely a band, with all parts contributing to this wonderful set and ensuring the legacy has lived on this long. It’s hard to believe that Vinnie Moore and Rob De Luca have now been with the band 15 years and 11 years respectively. It shows, and they’ve most definitely made those places their own. Vinnie is true to the originals but puts his own twist to them. Rob has grown massively into his role since I first saw him, maybe 10 years ago. Only You Can Rock Me showcases the band to it’s full, with founding member Andy Parker bludgeoning his kit and Paul Raymond adding the extra layers he always has.

It’s great to hear “Burn Your House Down” and “Messiah Of Love” from 2012 and 2015 respectively, reinforcing that UFO have been producing great albums to the end and these more recent gems fully deserve their place in the set. UFO are bowing out on top, this isn’t just a nostalgia ride. Phil Mogg has called it quits on UFO because he just can’t be bothered with the travelling and hotels any more. Such a shame as he clearly loves the stage as much as he ever did. As always, he could have been playing as a stand-up comedian tonight. Checking how everyone is at either side of the venue, he quips that he saw Tony Bennett do that once. Maybe he’s invested in a rocking chair for his retirement to do some Val Doonican style crooning.

Crowd favourites “Love To Love” and “Too Hot To Handle” pave the way to Rock Bottom, when Mogg once again turns comedian, joking that he could go on holiday and get himself a suntan by the time Vinnie Moore finishes the solo. A great solo it is too , once again taking Schenker’s blueprint but making it his own, with consummate ease. “Doctor Doctor” starts running down the set. There’s no bigger compliment than Iron Maiden using one of your songs for their stage entrance – the crowd’s response shows exactly why.

What better way to close the show than with “Shoot Shoot”, the first UFO record I bought. Fitting that the cowbell intro chimes last orders on the last song that UFO will ever play in Leeds.

The band leave the stage to rapturous applause and adulation. There is genuine love for these guys and many in the crowd were emotional leaving the venue, not quite believing this will be the last time they see them live after following them for so many years. UFO may be calling time on their illustrious career but this is absolutely going out in style, with band and crowd loving every minute. If you haven’t got yourself a ticket, grab one quick because most venues are either sold out or on the verge of selling out – UK to April, Europe to August, U.S.A. to November. UFO – forever in our hearts and out of our speakers.

READ THE REVIEW HERE, along with PHOTOS

Thanks to Graham Geldard

Very lucky to witness UFO last night.

When you see as many bands as we do especially bands at the end of their career, you don't always get a perfect experience. You think back to earlier years and when they sounded better with more original members and so forth.
Last night however broke the mould. UFO were phenomenal and played a set that was not only comparable to the glory years but infintely better.
As many long time fans were saying (last night and on the UFO forums this morning) who'd seen them through the 70's with Michael Schenker or 80's with Chapman last night they played with Moore who owned the stage with such confidence and ability and it was the best time anyone had seen them.
The 10 minute solo in 'Rock Bottom' was as structured and precise as you would ever hear and the crescendo guitar work of 'Love to Love' was comparable to none.
The dry wit of Phil was great, he genuinelly seemed so happy and with a line up that strong behind him, it really was no wonder. We even got a Riverdance jig as it was St.Patricks day and 'Shoot Shoot' the closing number was dedicated to the great Lemmy.
Paul Raymond remains one of the great unsung heroes of rock music with fantastic keyboard and rhythm guitar work although he still looks like everyone's grandma.
I've seen this same line up two years prior and wasn't over impressed (due in part to a bad mix at the time) but last night with crystal clear sound and a guitar that was heavily up in the mix, they played a near perfect wish list set and literally laid waste to a packed Leeds academy that I've never seen so busy.

UFO: Paul Raymond - Rob De Luca

UFO: Phil Mogg - Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg - Vinnie Moore - Paul Raymond

UFO: Rob De Luca - Phil Mogg - Paul Raymond

UFO: Phil Mogg - Paul Raymond

UFO: Rob De Luca

SHOW REVIEW

...With “Ain’t No Baby”, “Lights Out”, and “Baby Blue” they proved to everyone there that UFO, beyond any shadow of a doubt, were as fresh a rock band now as they were 50 years ago. Tight, pounding tracks, and a perfect light hearted performance as if they had their best friends round to have a blast of a party. Phil’s vocals sounded as clear and crisp as an 18 year old (he is about to turn 71), the guitar work of Vinnie was stratospheric, Rob de Luca’s bass work was mesmerising, incredibly compelling, Paul Raymond’s rhythm guitar and keyboards were on point and, of course, Andy Parker’s drumming was so energised it could have been plugged into Ballylumford Power station to top up Belfast’s electricity needs for a week.

...The night was going to be special. That was in no doubt. UFO were going to be the best version of your favourite cake. However, there was a perfect cherry on top with the addition of Tara Lynch. This was an incredibly special night, even if it wasn’t the last time UFO would be playing in Belfast. It’s a show you could see again and again without ever getting bored. Both bands were on top of their game, delivering better than solid performances, energising the crowd beyond what you would normally expect.

If you can get to see UFO and Tara Lynch, then go. No second thoughts. You have to see them. It is, without going overboard, a fantastic experience that will have you going home fully satisfied and talking about it for days.

Review by Ivor Whitten, Happy Metal Geek

Photos by Darren McVeigh, Metal Planet Music