The following page contains my Gig reports from the Rockin All Over Australia tour during March 1997.

The reports were also sent to the Quo mailing list .

Gig Report Number 1 : 1st Australian Concert- Tuesday 4th March 1997

Venue : Twin Towns Auditorium - Approx 1000 capacity .

The room was fairly well packed with all tickets seated .
QUO started late approx. 9.15pm ( about 15minutes late)

The set list was as follows :

Paper Plane
Softer Ride
Wanderer
Backwater Medley
Gerdundulla
Roll Over Lay Down
Get out of Denver
Whatever you Want
In the Army now
Something about you baby I like
Don,t Waste my Time
Rocking All Over the World
Roadhouse Blues
Anniversary Waltz

No Encore ! (see below)

The show didn't go with out hitches.
Firstly it started late and then there was a power failure
on stage (luckily between songs) about 1/2 way through the set.
I was later to find out from David Walker (Manager) that this
was the reason for no encore - they were off about 10mins to restore
power . However the Waltz was played on the end of the set .

After the power break David Walker came on stage saying it was OK to
stand ( apparantly management of venue wanted everyone seated !!)

Being in the front row , I was fine, however the fans really hotted
up after this announcement . QUO were in brilliant form and really
looked to be enjoying themselves . They played a very tight set .

The crowd was a little disapointed with no encore and I was a little
surprised they didn,t play Caroline or Down Down however I am sure
they will play them in the coming concerts. After the last song
when they were waving goodbye to the crowd I was lucky to shake
"Francis's sweaty hand !! - cop that Suzie!" while he was still on
stage , as well as Rick's .

Earlier I had met up with Patrick McShane another list member and
he said that earlier in the day he was waiting around the venue in
hope to see a glimpse of the band and he was lucky to see Rick,
Rhino and Andrew walking to the venue from their hotel (about 200 metres
away) . He managed to get them to sign his new guitar.

Anyway after the concert we decided to walk to the hotel
in the off chance that we might see QUO . We met David Walker and
he said the boys we tired and probably wouldn't come down .
I chatted to him about the gig and the problems with the power and
early finish . As we moved outside the hotel front entrance Rick
appeared and came over to have a chat and sign programs and sit for
some photos with us !!! . We couldn't believe it . Rick was really
down to earth and could have been one of his own fans he was so
friendly . After chatting for about 10 minutes Rick left and again we
were talking for about 5mins when Andy Bown also came out for a chat
and photos and autos . Again we were rapped to see him .

After Andy left our group of about 5 or 6 then headed off home
happy that we DID go to the hotel !.

Looking forward to the next concert on Friday .
Will keep you posted .

Tony Marles
QUO Fan since '76
4th March 1997 - the day I met the QUO .

Gig Report Number 2 : 2st Australian Concert- Friday7th March 1997

We arrived just after lunch on Friday this time prepared
and hoping to catch the band at the motel before the
sound check . We waited at front of the hotel on a seat
that we dubbed the QUO chair and at about 3.30pm we
noticed a guy in a white business shirt and tie walk by ,
it was Andy ! , he nearly slipped by us! , however we asked
how the gigs went in Sydney and he said "Great!" much better
than the first gig on Tuesday night (see the problems of the
previous report) but the band was keen to have a good set
tonight .

. We knew that the sound check was
about 5.00pm EST , so we waited patiently again . At about 4.30pm
Rhino and Jeff emerged and we asked for a photograph again and had
a short chat on how the tour was going. They walked off to the venue
and again we waited "In my Chair" . About ten minutes later we
caught a glimpse of Rick inside the hotel just sitting in the lounge,
apparantly waiting for Francis . We bit the bullet and decided to go
in and have a chat and he was very friendly again and we talked
about the Sydney gig and how he liked Australia and wanted to come
back again soon . We also asked him about new songs possibly coming
back into the set and he mentioned Big Fat Mama and it was about
time it was resurected . After about 10 minutes of chatting with
Rick we noticed Francis leaving the hotel , so we called out and
asked if we good get a photograph with him and Rick .

This was one of my greatest moments. Francis was great , he put
his hand on my shoulder as we had been mates for years. These
guys are really something , not stuck up famous Rock Stars but just
down to earth guys.

Next after the band had left to go for the sound check we walked
down to the venue hoping to catch a bit of the sound check but
knowing full well that would be difficult . We went up to the sixth
floor and we heard the band start up but because of the double set
of doors the sound was really muffled . At about that time a gentleman
who introduced himself as one of the promoters appeared . We explained
why we were here and would it be possible to listen to the sound check.
(we knew the answer would be NO!) He said NO, BUT we could move into
the next section which was just outside the room (but with curatins)
However , through the door openings we could hear the band perfectly
now but not see them .

The next 30 minutes was truly fascinating : QUO sound checked
and played the following songs either complete or partial .

In My Chair
Juniors Wailing
Big Fat Mama
Claudie
Dont Waste My Time
Rockin All Over The World
Most of The Time

I will never forget hearing Big Fat Mama again by the band !!!

Part 3 - The gig - Friday 7th March 1997

Venue : Twin Towns Auditorium - Approx 1000 capacity .

Full House Tonight!

The gig tonight was a full house . The audience again was
a bit of a mixture but seemed to be more true QUO fans.
Average age 35-40 with a lot of females again !!

The set this time was as per Tuesday except
the following 3 songs were included :

Down Down
Rain
Caroline

QUO played a really tight set again but this time the
crowd rose to their feet practically right from the start.
QUO had flown out the white heads off their Marshalls
because of the previous problems and Rick said next time
they played the would bring the whole QUO set (buggar
the expsense) .

After the concert had the chance to talk to Rhino and Rick
again and I asked Rhino about the Internet and his tour log.
He knows about the mailing list and commented that I
had put the review up before he could post his !!
He knew about that faily quickly so I think the management
is definately monitoring the list .

Anyway , must go - got to get to Festival Hall for
tonights concert .
Will review that tomorrow.