The Exchange 1856, North Shields
Friday, 31st January 2026
I will be the first to admit that I went to a lot of concerts last year and I already have a long list of names that I will be seeing this year. So many, in fact, that it becomes hard to say which ones are ‘just nights out’ and which are true must-see events that will be truly special. However, when it comes to Martin Barre it is a no brainer. The superlative ‘Special’ hardly does his concerts justice and his show at North Shields was no exception.
Despite being convinced that I had been there before, the venue was new to me and as the name suggests, it was built in the time of Queen Victoria. Despite the renovated auditorium being designed for modern audiences, the architecture gave its age away and added to the atmosphere and acoustics.
As for the concert, playing the whole of the Aqualung album, other Jethro Tull tracks and even a Beatles song, it was pure bliss. And having recently seen Jethro Tull live I must confess that I find that Martin out-tulls the Tull. If I had a choice of seeing only one and not the other, I know that Martin would win every time. The fans wanted the best entertainment and the whole band was full of such talent that they were not disappointed. It might have been Jethro Tull by any other name but it was just as sweet.
Despite his age Martin was full of enough energy it truly evidenced that age is just a number and even a septuagenarian, who is nearly an octogenarian, can give a show that would put many a younger musician to shame. All delivered with a broad smile, a great line in self-deprecating humour and a cheeky glint in his eye.
On lead vocal duty was Dan Crisp. A man who, at first glance could never be accused of being an Ian Anderson doppelganger but when he started to perform it was as if he had become the man he was emulating. Close your eyes and the voice was spot on, with even the gestures and facial contortions / gurnings being perfect facsimiles of the Ian Anderson I first saw on stage many decades ago. I am not sure if they were deliberate affectations or just came naturally when singing such songs as Locomotive Breath, but it was still impressive and mesmerising to watch.
Next the bassist, Alan Thomson, could not be ignored. His firm and deft playing kept everyone else in line. No over the top showmanship, no clichéd and overly long solos, just exceptional playing. Martin chose well when he was brought into the line-up.
Last, but never least, was drummer Terl Bryant. For those of you who are not familiar with him I can assure you he is no musical lightweight in terms of talent or skill and has played with such eclectic musical luminaries and legends as John Paul Jones, Iona, Barbara Dickson and Right Said Fred. And when if came to backing Martin Barre, he did himself, and his band mates, justice.
That was the band, but what of the music? It was promoted as the complete Aqualung album, and more, and they didn’t disappoint. Starting off with Steel Monkey, from the Crest of a Knave album they delivered every song as if their kit and band were cranked up to 11. The audience greeted every song as if it was an old friend and even the Beatles cover of I Want You (She’s So Heavy) was made a welcome guest, rather than an unwelcome interloper.
There was a buzz of anticipation as the crowd waited for the flute to appear, which it duly did for Serenade for a Cuckoo and Martin’s playing was more than a match for his former bandmate who shall not be mentioned here.
The songs covered the decades and just kept coming, but that didn’t mean that me, or seemingly anyone else in the audience were getting Tull fatigue. The show eventually came to an end but if it had gone on for another couple of hours there wouldn’t have been many complaining. After all, in this instance, there was definitely no such thing as too much of a good thing.
TPA would like to thank Jim Semmence who promoted this rather special event, the staff at The Exchange for their hospitality, the lighting and sound crew who did a fantastic job. And of of course Martin, Dan, Alan and Terl who delivered yet an outstanding performance in the North East…
SETLIST
Steel Monkey
Back to Steel
New Day Yesterday
For A Thousand Mothers
I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
Serenade to a Cuckoo
Hunting Girl
A Song for Jeffrey
Sealion
Back to the Family
Heavy Horses
– Interval –
The Whistler
Aqualung
Cross Eyed Mary
Slipstream
Wond’ring Aloud
Cheap Day Return
Mother Goose
Up To Me
My God
Hymn 43
Wind Up
Locomotive Breath
~ Encore:
Teacher
MUSICIANS
Martin Barre – Guitar, Flute, Whistle
Dan Crisp – Vocals, Guitars, Recorder
Alan Thomson – Bass Guitar
Terl Bryant – Drums
