by Emma Jenkins
– Guest Journalist —
Rock City in Nottingham, England – October 24, 2025
Sophie Lloyd opened her set with the unmistakable “Top Gun” theme, setting the tone for an evening driven by high‑octane instrumental work. From “Battleground” to “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Lloyd delivered a sequence of technically precise, crowd‑pleasing performances. Despite the absence of on‑stage vocals, the audience readily supplied the missing lines, turning several moments into communal sing‑alongs.
The show moved into material from Lloyd’s Imposter Syndrome album, including “Hanging On,” “Won’t You Come,” and “Runaway.” She was joined by vocalist Marisa Rodriguez, whose dynamic presence and strong delivery provided a striking contrast to Lloyd’s intricate guitar work.
Throughout the set, Lloyd alternated between original compositions and instrumental interpretations of well‑known tracks. The crowd remained engaged, responding enthusiastically and filling in lyrics whenever invited—or whenever the moment called for it.
The performance maintained a brisk pace, sustaining its momentum through to the finale. Closing numbers “Enter Sandman” and “Do or Die” brought the set to an energetic conclusion that arrived sooner than many in the audience seemed ready for.
The Chosen Years tour arrived in Nottingham, offering a vivid snapshot of Glenn Hughes’ remarkable career.
Opening with “Soul Mover,” Hughes immediately drew the crowd into the performance, encouraging them to sing the chorus back to him. The response was instant, and the track reverberated through the venue before he moved seamlessly into “Muscle & Blood” and “Voice in My Head.”
The set showcased a blend of rock, blues, and touches of funk, drawing from his work with Trapeze and Black Country Communion, along with selections from his recent Chosen album. “One Last Soul” and “Can’t Stop the Flood” followed, before Hughes paused to share stories about his early collaboration with Pat Thrall—an introduction to “First Step of Love.” His vocal power throughout was striking.
Hughes noted that Chosen may be the last rock record he releases, citing the time and effort required and how studio work pulls him away from what he loves most: performing live. That passion was evident throughout the night, as he entertained the audience not only with music but with humorous and heartfelt anecdotes from across his long career.
His vocals carried both grit and soul, shifting effortlessly from haunting melodies to soaring high notes capable of sending shivers through the room—whether on “First Step of Love,” “Way Back to the Bone,” or an intimate acoustic rendition of “Coast to Coast.”
The show maintained its momentum through to the encore, when Sophie Lloyd returned to the stage to join Hughes for “Burn.” Their blistering performance brought the night to a powerful close.
Before departing, Hughes introduced his bandmates and thanked the audience once more. It capped off a night defined by sincerity and connection. Hughes repeatedly told the crowd he loved them—and we loved him back, every clap, every cheer, every lyric sung back to him. He definitely made us feel chosen!
Hughes’s set list:
Soul Mover
Muscle and Blood
Voice in My Head
One Last Soul
Can’t Stop the Flood
First Step of Love
Way Back to the Bone
Medusa
Grace / Dopamine
Chosen
You Are the Music
Stay Free
Encore:
Coast to Coast
Black Country
Burn
Concert Photo Gallery
All photos appear courtesy of Jadranka Jade.
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