Live Review: Family @ Shepherds Bush Empire.

by | Feb 21, 2014

Family with Roger Chapman and oters plays Shepherds Bush Empire on 1.2.2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Family with Roger Chapman and oters plays Shepherds Bush Empire on 1.2.2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)

Underestimated by the mainstream but largely adored by those in the know Family caused euphoric joy when they reformed for two special shows last year at this very venue.Initially for a one off experience Family are rightly back doing it again exactly one year on ,with this time just the one date at the Shepherds Bush Empire with a home date the night before in Leicester.

[photoshelter-img i_id=”I0000POK7M0U6NBI” buy=”1″ caption=”Family with Roger Chapman and oters plays Shepherds Bush Empire on 1.2.2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)” width=”600″ height=”417″]

  With seven albums of material to chose from , the set list was tweaked around greatly from the previous visit with the notable additions of opening slow building number Hey Mr Policeman and the Entertainment value of Processions and How-Hi-The-Li. Roger Chapman at 72 years of age shows no sign of acting maturely kept his humorous profanities to a minimum but couldn’t help mocking those caught up in the floods with tongue firmly in cheek.

[photoshelter-img i_id=”I00004CV8CCiSxiQ” buy=”1″ caption=”Family with Roger Chapman and oters plays Shepherds Bush Empire on 1.2.2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)” width=”600″ height=”417″]

 The sharply dressed guitarist Jim Cregan shone throughout along with original members drummer Rob Townsend and vibraphonist John ‘Poli’ Palmer backed by a very fine ensemble of musicians .The show moved up a gear with the dynamic groove of No Mule’s Fool, the sturdy Top Of The Hill and the funky charm of both Holding The Compass and Check Out. The rasping  voice of Chapman is evident on the delicate Between You And Me, the shrilling Burlesque and the mighty epic The Weavers Answer.

[photoshelter-img i_id=”I0000XnfqNP3G.xY” buy=”1″ caption=”Family with Roger Chapman and oters plays Shepherds Bush Empire on 1.2.2014 (Solange Moreira-Yeoell)” width=”600″ height=”417″]

  Encores heard ecstatic harmonies from the crowd on My Friend The Sun with In My Own Time and Sweet Desiree fulfilling an enjoyable evening.  A Family get together that should happen every year.
Same time , same place next year then!

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000ZselwzPJD18″ g_name=”Family” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Review by Mark Taylor and Photography from Solange Moreira-Yeoell. 1st February 2014. Shepherds Bush Empire.
Jane Remover @ Outbreak London 2025

Outbreak Festival Storms London: A Genre-Bending Baptism Of Hardcore, Chaos & Community

Outbreak has been the beating heart of the UK’s hardcore scene since 2011 at its home in Manchester, finally the...
Santana @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

A Higher Frequency: Santana’s Timeless Spirit Lights Up The O2 Arena

As London sweltered under a 32-degree summer solstice sun, a different kind of illumination awaited inside The O2 Arena. Carlos Santana—guitar deity, Woodstock survivor, and spiritual messenger—brought his legendary band and transcendental energy to the capital with his Oneness Tour, proving once again that music, when played with heart and soul, can truly heal.

Matt Bellamy of Muse @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Muse Return With Electrifying New Single ‘Unravelling’ — A Thunderous Taste Of What’s To Come

Muse have unleashed their blistering new single Unravelling, igniting excitement among fans as they return to the world stage with their trademark flair for drama and dystopian grandeur. The track marks their first new music since 2022’s Will Of The People and signals the beginning of a bold new chapter for the stadium-filling trio.

Green Day @ Download Festival XXII - Friday (Sarah Louise Bennett)

Punk, Pop, and Pyro: Day One Of Download Festival XXII Ignites Donington Park

75,000 fans descend on Donington Park for Download Festival XXII, and as the sun drenches the hallowed grounds, we’re here to see what goes down. Let’s dive into it.

Megan Moroney (Cece Dawson)

Megan Moroney Delivers The Breakup Anthem Of The Summer With Fiery New Single ‘6 Months Later’

After weeks of building buzz across social media and on stage, country music powerhouse Megan Moroney has officially released her latest single, 6 Months Later. A fierce, tongue-in-cheek breakup anthem drenched in sass and soul, the track is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer — an unmissable moment from one of country’s most electrifying rising stars.

KillerStar @ 100 CLUB (Briony Graham-Rudd)

KillerStar Unleash Live Version Of Glam-Rock Classic ‘Children Of The Revolution’ From Sold-Out 100 Club

KillerStar, the critically acclaimed outfit led by vocalist and guitarist Robert Fleming, have released a storming live rendition of T-Rex’s glam-rock anthem Children Of The Revolution, recorded during their sold-out shows at London’s legendary 100 Club earlier this year. The release is accompanied by a video capturing the electric energy of those special nights, featuring a band packed with legendary collaborators of the late David Bowie.

Infinite Coles (Reveka Pasternak)

Infinite Coles Unleashes Fearless New Pride Anthem ‘Boots Ballroom C*nt Mix’ Featuring Maleigh Zan & Julz

NYC-born singer, performer, dancer and model Infinite Coles steps out unapologetically proud and powerful this Pride month with the release of the blistering new track Boots Ballroom C*nt Mix, out now via Don’t Sleep/PIAS.

Steve Hackett (David Clay)

Steve Hackett Brings ‘The Lamb’ Roaring Back To Life With Royal Albert Hall Live Release

Progressive rock icon and former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett has announced the release of The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall, a landmark live recording of his spectacular October 2024 performance at London’s world-famous concert hall. Set to be released on 11th July 2025 via InsideOutMusic, the multi-format audio-visual collection captures a night that paid electrifying homage to one of the most ambitious and influential albums in rock history — Genesis’ 1974 opus The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing