Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2009.

After 20 years together and nine studio albums to their name, Thunder returned to Wolverhampton as part of their farewell tour, having announced some months ago that they were calling time on their career.

They didn’t disappoint, kicking off the night with the energetic Backstreet Symphony, the title track of their debut album. From that moment, the audience let them know they will be missed by giving a huge roar of satisfaction at the end of every song.

Vocalist Danny Bowes hardly stopped jigging around all night as he went through an incredible back catalogue which included The Devil Made Me Do It, Love Walked In and Everybody Wants Her.

Chris Childs was as ever on bass and was only topped by Luke Morley who seemed to wring every emotion possible from his guitar.

Thunder finished the set with drummer Harry James Joining the rest of the guys at the front of the stage to play guitar on A Better Man, Laughing On Judgement Day and a rip-roaring version of Dirty Love.

Ian D. Hall.