Let there be drums as ELO’s Bev plays the Arts Complex

Sep 22 2011

BEV Bevan reckons his audiences these days are rather calmer than those that crowded into gigs at the start of his career.

Next week, the Brummie drummer will be appearing alongside the likes of Raymond Froggatt and Trevor Burton, at Solihull Arts Complex.

“When I started out I was playing at pubs to people my age, youngsters, so obviously it could be a bit rowdy,” he explains. “But those venues have all gone.

“Now I’m performing in these theatres, the audience have grown up a bit, and I suppose they’re a bit more respectable.

“Though there’s many fans of... advanced years, I’m always surprised by the number of younger people whose parents were probably fans.”

Bev, who shot to fame with The Move and ELO, adds: “We always get a good reception in Solihull, they lap it up.

“I do like playing in the smaller theatres, it’s a bit chatty this show, and that intimacy helps.

“It’s always hard in the arena shows, when you’re playing to 12,000 people, to have the same connection with your audience.”

All-in-all, it’s been an eclectic couple of years for the musician, collaborating with the likes of Paul Weller, Tony Iommi and old school-chum Jasper Carrott.

And he’s recently teamed-up with youngsters from Dorridge Music School, for a charity concert being staged next month.

“There’s a few drummers, who must be only ten, and I’m sure they’ll be professional when they grow up,” he says.

* It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll is on September 28-29. Tickets on 0121 704 6962.