Talon, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review

Each of them is a highly talented musician which they showcased as they jumped from guitar to banjo to piano to vocals, mastering each and every one.

Even the pedal steel guitar was expertly played on stage at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre by the Eagles tribute band last night - I had never even heard of, let alone seen, one of those.

It is their 20th anniversary tour which was attended by people who have been with them since they were simply Peter Anderson and Chris Lloyd, which made for a funny and easy-going atmosphere between songs.

“Can I just say thank you for the audience interaction. You have been one of the most tuneful and loudest audiences in quite a while,” Peter bellowed.

The audience were an average age of foot-tapping 50-year-olds who occasionally sang along, clapped and then erupted into cheers and whistles as they heard the first part of Hotel California and Lyin' Eyes.

One member of the audience shouted out, saying that they were excellent.

“He follows us everywhere and he says that all the time. Next time I am going to do something rubbish and then see what he says,” Peter joked after a bashful smile.

It was easy to see why they have amassed such a committed fan base, as their music was a treat for the ears and did not miss out a single musical detail.

All sorts of instruments filled the stage under multi-coloured lights and the six-piece band shifted with ease and flexibility to having five guitarists on stage at once - to scatter across the other instruments including a white grand piano to the side, keyboard in the corner, drums at the back, bongo drums to the side, a xylophone next to it, a maraca, and, of course, a pedal steel guitar.

For their 20th anniversary tour, they have already raised £7,000 for the Honeypot Children’s Charity who they have teamed up with due to the support they give young carers tohelp them have a childhood through fun activities.

“What a great time. Please come see us again. Thank you beautiful people.

“20 years on and Talon are going to the West End...yes, we’re going shopping.”

The tour is leading up to their final date at Cadogan Hall in London on January 27, which is exactly 20 years on from when the pair played their first gig in a pub in Birmingham.

It was hardly a surprise to find that 900 out of the 1,000 have been booked already.