Justin Hayward

Rather than try and replicate every aspect of the full Moody Blues’s set-up, former singer and songwriter Justin Hayward has devised his own unique approach with an established touring band that comprises Mike Dawes (guitars), Julie Ragins (keyboards) and Karmen Gould (flute).

Dawes is an absolute guitar genius and is hailed as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle guitar performers – so before the main event at the Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare we are entertained with a solo acoustic set packed full of guitar wizardry and some hilariously deadpan introductions. It’s quite easy to see exactly why he has been touring with Justin for the last 12 years - he matches the vibe perfectly: A personable, English, guitar whiz.

After a short break, Hayward and the band hit the stage with a stunning rendition of ‘Tuesday Afternoon’. These Moody Blues classics are so well-written that you can do pretty much what you want with them arrangements-wise but if you have the unmistakable sound of Hayward’s vocal and those equally unforgettable flute melodies, you are immediately transported right to the heart of what the Moody Blues were about.

And the band are truly talented. We’re soon on fabulous journey through a succession of Moodies’ masterpieces (‘Blue World’, Voices in the Sky’, ‘Nights in White Satin’), along with some well-chosen highlights from Hayward’s solo back catalogue, together with a mesmerising version of ‘Blue Guitar’ (the hit he had with Moody Blues bandmate, John Lodge) and, of course, not forgetting the Jeff Wayne / War of the Worlds classic, ‘Forever Autumn’.

Sadly, Moody Blues bass ace John died the week before the gig. Hayward paid a heartfelt tribute to his late bandmate, expressing his sadness and shock over his passing and sighted the profound impact Lodge had on their music and the band.

A medley of songs - “Out and In,” “Meanwhile” and “Voices in the Sky” - worked together shockingly well.

“Forever Autumn” from Jeff Wayne’s 1978 concept album The War of the Worlds is a demanding song, full of soaring, sustained notes. The song was wisely paced and wonderful, and probably the loudest ovation of the night to that point. This was also the song that best highlighted the rest of the band. Karmen Gould lovingly delivered the flute solo, while Ragins provided harmonies, and Dawes completed the ensemble with a solid guitar backing. And that led into the Moody Blues classic hit ‘Your Wildest Dreams’.

Hayward tells a few nicely self-effacing anecdotes, about growing up with Buddy Holly as his musical hero and finally getting to visit his birthplace, about rehearsing in the presbytery of his local Catholic church and once feeling a presence behind him in the room – but it was just someone wanting directions to the kitchen. Delightful little anecdotes about hotel bar karaoke, encounters with strangers on airplanes, or interrupted rehearsal sessions, all delivered by a great storyteller.

The grand finale, a triumphant “Nights in White Satin’ with Hayward strumming the opening bars and whole band lifting the roof of the Playhouse.

A two-song encore immediately followed. “The Story in Your Eyes” was another jam, and then a stunning rendition of “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”

It had a tinge of sadness that so many chapters on the Moody Blues story have closed in recent years. With the death of Mike Pinder earlier this year, and now John, none of the original ‘Go Now’ line-up of the Moody Blues or the classic ‘prog-era’ post 1967 are still with us.

But the music they leave remains with us and Justin Hayward does a hugely impressive job in celebrating the band’s legacy with affection, panache and good humour, along with some incredible musicianship on stage beside him.