10-November-2021
Millennium Forum
Derry, Northern Ireland

Brian's thoughts on Derry night 1

I attended my first Van show in several years on a whim, having made a late decision to attend just the night before. The tickets came courtesy of a kindly list member, Darren O'Beirne, who offered two front row seats at face value (did I mention front row seats?). I had no real expectations about what I was going to get from Van and was very pleasantly surprised. I’ve seen him enough (hundreds of times since the 70”s) to know a good performance when I see one. 

Onto the show, we caught the opening act, Dea Matrona and I really liked them. They are an up-and-coming trio of young girls. They’re not the finished article, but I think they’ve got the potential to break out. 

Van came on promptly at 8 and delivered a fast-paced bluesy, jazzy be-bop set and I LOVED it. He was on and engaged and while the setlist was not what I personally might have chosen, it was really well constructed as a performance and entity. Without going through the setlist which others have posted, he started off with a bunch of songs from his Latest Record Project. Having heard them on CD and Spotify I couldn’t believe the difference (Improvement) in the songs when performed live. Van belted out the tunes with the backing of his slick and professional band. If i had my druthers, I could've used a little guitar from Van (he didn't pick one up) but there was some absolutely stellar harp work. 

Am I mistaken, or is Van’s voice getting better? This is no tribute act or band, this is a singer in command of his god given talents with a great set of musicians supporting him. Even the much derided Broken Record worked really well in this environment. The set was over all too soon for me, but I left feeling the whole rushed effort to get to see the show was wholly worthwhile. So, thanks once again Darren O'Beirne for the “nudge” to attend, and thanks to Van Morrison. My advice, if you stick to songwriting and performing music, you can’t go wrong and you’ll have a great career. I’m back on the train. A big hand for the band! 

Ps did I mention I got to witness all of this from the front row? Couldn’t take my eyes off of Van but unfortunately couldn’t see the lovely Teena Lyle or Elle Cato although I did catch Teena’s “Swim” dance when standing for the encore. 

-Brian H.

Setlist 

Latest Record Project 

Deadbeat Saturday Night 

Double Agent 

Thank God for the Blues 

Up County Down 

Days Like This 

Don't Worry About A Thing 

Gonna Send You Back 

Symphony Sid 

Sometimes We Cry 

In The Midnight 

Baby Please Don't Go 

Think Twice Before You Go 

Ain't Gonna Moan No More 

Broken Record 

Foreign Window 

Magic Time 

Moondance/My Funny Valentine 

Wild Night 

Cleaning Windows 

Help Me 

Brown Eyed Girl 

Gloria

Big Hand For The Band! 

Dave Keary (Guitar, Banjo, Bouzouki, Backing Vocals) 

Paul Moore (Bass) 

Paul Moran (Piano, Keyboards, Trumpet)

Teena Lyle (Percussion) 

Elle Cato (Vocals)

Richard Dunn (Keyboards)

Colin Griffin (Drums)