Roy Wood celebrating Christmas at the Bilston Robin. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. December 2009.

Fresh from his triumphant support slot on Status Quo’s U.K. tour, Roy Wood arrived in Bilston to headline his now annual Christmas show.

He wasted no time in warming up everyone who had braved the sub-zero temperatures by opening the set with the infectious California Man.

It is surprising just how many hits Roy Wood had with Wizzard, The Move and E.L.O. and the crowd was delighted as the band sped through tracks such as Wizzard’s  first top tenner, Ballpark Incident, their first number one See My Baby Jive and The Move’s second single I Can Hear The Grass Grow.  Other highlights included the wonderful Flowers In The Rain, the bouncy Fire Brigade and the fantastic and much covered Blackberry Way.

Roy and the band finished off a highly enjoyable night with Wizzard’s seasonal song I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday which had the sold out Robin crowd dancing and singing until well after the lights went up.

An excellent night and one that justifies Roy Wood’s status as one of Birmingham’s finest musicians.

Ian D. Hall