“One More Night In Burslem” - Face Value live at the Green Star Burslem on Saturday 7th February 2009. Review by Alan Hewitt.

It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Or so it seems since TWR last covered a gig by Face Value, but here we are back in the harness again. Braving the elements our roving reporter ventured into the wilds of Stoke -On-Trent to report on tonight’s proceedings.

The first thing that was noticeable tonight was the ever decreasing size of Tony’s keyboard set up. Gone are such vintage elements as the Prophet 10 and Synclavier, all replaced by more of today’s technology - makes loading in and out a LOT easier, I can tell you! Set up completed and sound check over, the punters were eventually admitted and soon it was showtime.

The band’s set hasn’t changed that much since I last saw them although performance wise some things worked better than others tonight. Opening with the usual salvo of No Son Of Mine and Land Of Confusion the band were evidently in fine form and musically sounded on top form, Will and Wrex in particular playing with verve and gusto while John hammed it up in fine style.

The emphasis tonight was on the “hits” and we got them aplenty here. I Wish It Would Rain Down, Follow You, Follow Me; In the Air Tonight and Another Day In Paradise were among the string of classics which were performed with evident enjoyment by the band and also by the receptive audience who greeted each track with solid and genuine applause.

There was still time for some classic Genesis, however, with Mama, Domino, Afterglow and Los Endos all sending shivers down my spine. Kudos to Ray in the former and the latter; his playing was absolutely faultless and he was ably augmented by the rest of the band who didn’t put a foot wrong. The weak spots in the set for me personally were some of the more “poppy” numbers. I know the band have to play them but I for one could live without hearing Throwing It All Away again but the audience loved it so I’m obviously in the minority here and by the time we reached Invisible Touch and Take Me Home, the audience were dancing away like good ‘uns!

Face Value are always a band who pride themselves on giving entertainment value and tonight was no exception - another excellent night all round.