Z Rock 2009
JB’s, Dudley
Concert review by Ian Harvey

Rock fans descended on JB’s in Dudley to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Z Rock festival.

It was two days of melodic rock, some of it muscular, some of it mellow, with former Babys and Bad English singer John Waite wrapping up the event on Saturday night and into the early hours of Sunday.

Looking dapper in a pin-strip suit, Waite was in fine voice in a set which included songs from both of those bands and well as hit biggest solo hit, Missing You.

Waite didn’t hit the stage until midnight after organisers put the music on hold earlier in the day so football-supporting rockers could watch the FA Cup final in the club.

Friday night’s headliners were Wig Wam and the festival also included appearances by Dan Reed, Stampede and Midland rockers Eden, who combined intensity with a light-hearted approach.

Eden’s guitarist Vince O’Regan, from Wolverhampton, and keyboard player James Screaton even reappeared to provide bass and guitar backing for Von Groove singer Michael Shotton’s well received set.

And there was excitement among fans when it was announced that two singers who have connections with US rock giants Journey – Steve Augeri and Kevin Chalfant – would be bringing their own bands to Z Rock 2010 at JB’s next year.