Sad Cafe – Music &Arts Centre, Barnoldswick – Tuesday 28th October 2025

Another packed out night at the wonderful Barnoldswick Music & Arts venue greeted the latest incarnation of Sad Cafe. Their new vocalist Mat Woolf rapidly shed any debut nerves to give a highly competent vocal performance. His future with Sad Cafe looks as bright as the flamboyant shirt he donned for the evening.

SMOOTH ROCK

Opening with Black Rose they proceeded to give us an evening of smooth rock which has given them hits on both sides of the Atlantic and made them a popular live band too. We were treated to Dave Day’s blend of guitar styles as he channeled the bluesy, the funky, the soulful and jazzy from his nimble fingers. Dreamy keyboards from Matt Steele and Neil Shaw-Hulme’s ‘sax to cry for’ enhanced a string of familiar songs including Strange Little Girl , La-Di- Da and of course Everyday Hurts, which had the audience singing along joyfully.

Sad Cafe are one of those bands which although infamous for one particular song have actually at their finger tips a plethora of stunning songs which surpass well known hits. Matt may have sung I Can’t Get Used To This Emptiness but the venue was filled with luscious sounds which, if music were edible, would be described as succulent. The musicianship was of the top quality and full of delightful surprises: the bluesy guitar solo in L.A., screaming guitar riffs, soulful vocals, dreamy sax and a solid infectious backbeat from the the Steve Gibson / Des Tong rhythm section. As the mood fluctuated from from rocky to mellow, the whole evening time seemed to flash by in an instant, such was the encompassing nature of the music.

PAUL YOUNG MEMORIES

Leader Des Tong, who had been with the band since the early 80’s, found a moment to pay a pertinent tribute to Paul Young as Des told us of the opportunity taken to use vocals he recorded secretly shortly before he passed. Clearly his spirit still rings strong so we were treated to a track from the Chronicles album which resulted from adding their own music to these vocals.

TAILORED WELL CRAFTED MUSIC

Although the band has suffered some tragic losses which would have crushed many a band, we are grateful that despite many line-up changes we are still able to enjoy their exceptionally tailored music.The intimate setting of this incredible venue matched their seductive music. It was no wonder that the appreciative audience wanted the performance prolonging even after the prepared encore and indeed it was the type of music and performance in which one could easily wallowed in all night!

Sad Cafe online: Facebook

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