In 37 years of going to gigs, I don’t think I have seen a better opening set than the one Scouting For Girls delivered when they kicked off Olly Murs’ gig at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. It was a pleasure to watch this four piece band run through their radio-friendly tunes as they warmed up Murs’ sold out, 8000 strong crowd. Led by singer and keyboard player Roy Stride, they set out to deliver a punchy set and they smashed it. Oozing with confidence, it was a brilliant show to watch.
Review by Miles Salter, frontman of Miles & the Chain Gang and director of York Alive
Stride may not quite be Freddy Mercury, but he used every trick in the book to get the crowd involved, including filming them, urging them to sing, and even exhorting them to crouch down and jump up for one song. I was blown away by how good these guys were, running through a slew of songs like Elvis Ain’t Dead, She’s So Lovely, and a cover of Busted’s Year 3000. Roy was backed by Greg Churchouse (bass and backing vocals), Peter Ellard (excellent on drums) and guitarist, producer and songwriter Nick Tsang on guitar. The band is coming to York Barbican this autumn – go and see them if you can.
Murs could have been in two minds about Scouting For Girls, as they set the bar very high for a headliner to follow. On the other hand, they did a brilliant job of getting the crowd in the mood for music. It’s been 14 years since Olly first appeared on The X Factor. The TV show clashed with his brother Ben’s wedding, leading to an unfortunate family animosity that has carried on for years. Murs has been hugely successful in the years since, but this tension must be a thorn in his side.
The tour is called Marry Me, and it’s an apt title, as earlier this year he tied the knot with Amelia Tank. Mr Murs mentioned this development several times during the show, but the news was greeted by booing from some of his more fanatical, and clearly envious, female fans. Backed by an excellent nine piece band, Murs’ 90 minute set was full of energy throughout. He spoke honestly about his grief from losing his friend, television presenter Caroline Flack, leading the audience in a rousing version of Sweet Caroline.
Murs also seems to have matured; he stopped the gig when somebody in the crowd fainted, and spoke of earlier struggles in his personal life, stating that he never quite felt at home. The bit where he banged on about his first two releases was less impressive, alluding to the narcissistic pop star traits of a Cliff Richard or Alan Partridge. Later in the set, a ‘wedding playlist’ section featured snatches of dancefloor classics from The Village People’s YMCA to Lionel Ritchie’s Dancing on the Ceiling. This was high class karaoke and a step away from cheesy, but saved by the brilliance of his band and a fantastic three piece brass section.
Murs delivers though. One of the final songs performed is Dance With Me Tonight, a near perfect pop song. It’s hard not to like him, and you have to admire his energy, as he never stopped moving for almost ninety minutes. A nod too to Scarborough Open Air Theatre – surely now one of Yorkshire’s best venues, hosting a terrific and life-affirming evening.