SLADE SOUND SPECTACULAR
SLADE / HORDERN PAVILION, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 21/2/1974
WHEN ENGLISH pop group Slade bursts on stage, satin clothes swinging, sequins glittering and top hats bouncing, the effect is like a dozen Mad Hatter's tea parties in vivid colour.
The group's noise output varies from 120 to 140 decibels, which is about as loud as a Boeng 707 taking off. The best seats for last Thursday night's performance were probably several miles away from the Hordern pavilion.
Slade, which has been named England's top group, has intensified the Alice Cooper - david Bowie teenage hysteria. Their audiences sparkle and glint as they dance in the aisles or sway on their chairs, and their antics at least make for comic relief.
Noddy Holder, lead vocalist and guitarist of the four man band, shrieks questions to his fans, urging them to join in and clap hands or stamp feet.
Dave Hill (known as "H Bomb") must cover several miles in each performance as he slinks across stage with knees bent or dances with his guitar.
They played some of their best hits with vigour, including 'Gudbuy T' Jane' and 'Look Wot You Dun,' bringing tears to the eyes of hundreds of tinselled schoolgirls. Their appeal to 10 and 12 year olds is phenominal, surpassing even Beatlemania's heydey.
This is their second Australian tour with concerts also in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. Another Sydney show will be held at the Hordern Pavilion at 8 pm next sunday. The front seats will be removed to allow dancing room.
GILLIAN MAYNE ~ SYDNEY MORNING HERLAD, 26/2/1974