The Wendy James Band, Patterns Brighton, 30th September 2021

Shooting to fame in the mid 80s with Transvision Vamp, who’d have thought that Wendy James would have the crowd eating out of her hand all these years later? After multiple postponements due to lockdown restrictions, the band finally managed to get out on the road, last night stopping off in a very wet and windy Brighton.

Starting strongly with You’re So Great, Wendy explained that everything had kicked off for her musically in Brighton, and the first of many stories evoking memories of people and places from the past ensued, culminating in an impromptu jam of Suicide’s Ghost Rider.

I saw Tom Jones, the famous name-dropper, in Brighton the other week and, to be honest, I’m not sure his stories were as good. When your anecdote book is littered with appearances from the likes of The Stooges, Bowie and Kurt Cobain, there are bound to be some good tales to tell.

But really everyone was here for the music, and they weren’t disappointed. The band were faultless and a shout out to the sound team at Patterns was well deserved.

Standout track from Queen High Straight was the beautiful Marlene et Fleur, amidst a set filled with fan favourites including I Want Your Love and Baby I Don’t Care. At the close of the set Wendy noted that it had been a great night and that she was really happy. Judging from the crowd’s reaction and the queues to meet and greet at the merch stand, she wasn’t on her own with that feeling.

There are a couple of dates left on the tour; if you’re up for a singalong get yourself along to O2 Academy Islington tonight or The Parish in Huddersfield tomorrow, full details here.

Words and photos by Siobhan

1st October 2021