High-energy 80s tribute rocks Much Wenlock audience - review
A night of unforgettable music.
Fired Up’s Rock The 80’s show at the Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, delivered a punchy, high-octane celebration of a decade defined by excess, ambition and unforgettable music. From the opening bars of One Vision and Sledgehammer to the euphoric encore of Here I Go Again, the six-piece outfit proved themselves accomplished musicians with a clear love for the material and the skill to do it justice.
Fronted by Becky Williams and Lew Jamez, the band struck an impressive balance between vocal power and personality, with both singers taking centre stage across a carefully curated setlist. Becky shone on the emotional weight of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, one of the evening’s standout moments, while Lew delivered a commanding take on Purple Rain.
Instrumentally, the band were tight and confident throughout: Andy Carney’s shimmering solos drew deserved applause, especially on Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb, while Andy Lewis added texture and flair on keys, most notably during Mr Blue Sky. Meanwhile, Rick Hampton (resplendent in sparkly shoes and matching jacket) and Andy Crosby on drums provided a driving rhythm section that kept the energy consistently high.
What set the night apart was the atmosphere: a fully engaged audience singing along to Don’t You (Forget About Me), and dancing in the aisles to Livin’ On A Prayer. The setlist was a masterclass in pacing, moving effortlessly from rock anthems to polished pop and back again, with crowd-pleasers like Jump, Don’t Stop Believin’ and Everybody Wants to Rule The World landing with full impact. By the time the encore rolled around, The Edge Arts Centre felt more like an arena than an intimate venue, with the band at full throttle and a room alive with shared energy and joy.