Magnum Concert Review: The Forum, London January 21, 2025
There was a substantial emotional baggage associated with tonight’s gig. One year ago guitarist Tony Clarkin, who had formed Magnum around half a century earlier, passed away. The band’s co-founder, singer Bob Catley was broken-hearted, as were the band’s legions of fans, and Bob tearfully declared that Magnum was over. Since then, some live commitments with Germany-based Avantasia seem to have rekindled Bob’s eagerness to keep the Magnum flame burning. Thus, a handful of U.K. gigs were booked, the first of those gigs being in London. Call the band Magnum or call it a Magnum tribute band, either way I don’t think it matters. But onto the gig….
Tonight’s gig was absolutely magical and I write that without a sliver of hyperbole. After kicking off with “How Far Jerusalem,” Bob solemnly declared, “No more sadness, let’s rejoice!” And that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the show. Fans convened at the Forum from all over Europe and sang along to every song.
Bob’s voice cracked with emotion a couple of times as he glanced to his left and for the first time in his life didn’t see Tony Clarkin. In fact, the person filling Clarkin’s shoes used to be his guitar tech: Brendon Riley, who showed a good grasp of Magnum’s repertoire. The rest of the band was made up of Magnum regulars keyboardist Rick Benton, drummer Lee Morris (Paradise Lost, Marshal Law) and bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69).
It’s hard to select any highs because the gig had no lows. Nevertheless, one unforgettable moment was when the band delivered the poignantly-titled “Les Mort Dansent” (The Dancing Dead) during which many audience members switched on the torches of their mobile phones and gave the impression of an endless galaxy of stars. Yesterday’s lighters are today’s mobile phones.
Since there was no supporting act, the gig gave Magnum an opportunity to deliver some overlooked gems from the band’s repertoire. The 10-minute epic “Don’t Wake The Lion” (from 1998’s Wings Of Heaven album) was a popular inclusion judging from the audience’s rapturous applause. The set included many songs from Magnum’s 1985 On a Storyteller’s Night album, which was fine by me as I regard that album to be one of Magnum’s best. “We Need A Lot Of Love” (from the Vigilante album) was one of many songs that had the audience singing the chorus to.
Towards the end of the gig, when the band played three live favourites: “Kingdom Of Madness,” “On A Storyteller’s Night” and “When The World Comes Down,” I might have shed a few emotional tears but judging from the people I spoke to after the gig, it seems I wasn’t the only one to have done so. Before the band left the stage, Bob Catley told the audience “We did the best we could.” If the best they could was such an incredible gig then, well, I’ll settle for that.
I spotted several mics pointing at the audience so I wouldn’t be surprised if a recording of tonight’s gig would eventually emerge as a live album. But even if that happens, don’t wait for such a release because nothing beats actually being there when Magnum play live.
