A RIP-ROARING ACT FROM SLADE

 

SLADE blasted their way through a rip-roaring set which had the packed audience looning with enthusiasm at the Bracknell Sports Centre on Saturday night. In a variety of 'superstar' garb they generated enough excitement to keep the town's street lamps on for a month and got the crowd so involved and active before going home it is unlikely that they'll wake up befoe "The Golden Shot"

Urging everyone to sing along and have a good time, Slade belted their way through an hour long rock set which included their big single successes "Coz I Luv You" and "Look Wot You Dun."

If analysed coldly the music is not all that startling or different, simply basic and in many cases old rock and roll. But Noddy, Jimmy, Dave and Don don't expect the music to be coldly analysed - it is "shake-a-leg" music in the greatest tradition.

Slade loved it, the audience loved it, but for the residents living near the centre it was a bit too much and unfortunately the concert had to be brought to a halt half an hour early following complaints about the noise (see seperate story). Spreadeagle kicked off with a nicely balanced set and Frupp kept the evening swinging.

Congratulations to whoever came up with the idea of moving the light show up into the gallery. A black mark however goes to the centre management who billed the band on its board outside as " SLAD".

 

Noise Complaints Brought SLADE To An Early End

Saturday's Slade Concert at Bracknell's Sport Centre was brought to a premature halt following complaints about the noise from nearby residents. The concert was stopped half an hour early by the organisers when they heard that people in the houses opposite in South Hill Road were unable to get to sleep.

Residents complained that children were lying awake, as were husbands trying to get some sleep before Sunday shifts. One of the organisers told the "News" that Slade were the loudest band that had ever played at the centre. "They or any others playing as loud will not be booked again."

"It is an isolated case and we are with the residents," he continued. "It is not fair that our enjoyment should disturb theses other people."

The regular monthly concerts have been running for eight months and attract an average crowd of 1,000 local rock fans. Last month's Wishbone Ash concert, probably the most popular so far, produced no complaints. A spokesman for Easthampstead Rural District Council, who run the Sports Centre and are also responsible for noise abatement, said that they had had one complaint passed on to them by the police. "It is the first complaint we have had in all the time there have been concerts at the centre. "They are entertainment for many youngsters each month and we hope it will all be sorted out favourably."

A spokesman for Bracknell Police said that it was not a criminal matter. "It is much better for everyone if it is sorted out amicably between the residents and the organisers."

Next month's concert features the much quieter Al Stewart and His Band, a folk rock unit.

Bracknell news 11/05/72