2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the formation of Californian Rockers Y&T (formerly known as Yesterday and Today) and while only singer/guitarist Dave Meniketti remains from the original line up the band shows no signs of slowing down.
While familiarity may breed contempt for some bands who tour regularly the fact that Y&T have played shows in the UK every autumn for the past few years has not dampened the enthusiasm of the crowd or the band, in fact it seems to grow each year and it’s easy to see why.
Many bands who have been around a decade or two tend to rely on the same tried and trusted songs tour after tour which tends to become stale after a while. Y&T have the art of set list selection to perfection. The classics that everyone wants to hear from Meanstreak, Black Tiger, I Believe in You and the steamroller of a set closer Forever are all present and correct while their gold plated classic that used to fill the dance floor at the legendary Mayfair, Rescue me has lost none of its impact.
Yet it’s the lesser played songs like LA Rocks, I Want Your Money, Surrender and a scintillating Cold Day In Hell from the hugely underrated Musically Incorrect album that really shows the strength of their catalogue. For those attending multiple shows on the tour the set list changes from night to night ensuring no two dates are the same.
Meniketti’s voice has weathered 40 years on the road remarkably well, retaining its power and edge without losing any of the melody that is so ingrained in Y&T’s music. Not content with being blessed with a great voice, his guitar playing takes everything up to another level with Hell or High Water and a sublime I Believe In You showing why he is up there with the very best.
After almost two hours on stage Y&T were not quite finished returning to the stage for an encore featuring the entire Side 1 of Black Tiger and what a way to end a show which will undoubtedly ensure yet another full house for next year’s tour.
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