Hawkwind - Knights Of Space

Fitting tribute to late keyboardist Jason Stuart

Hawkwind’s popularity shows no sign of diminishing as they prepare for another undoubtedly sold out UK tour in December. This well-filmed show from last December’s Christmas gigs at London’s Astoria also comes as a CD, and will be particularly desirable to the Hawk-hordes as the group agreed to play Silver Machine for the first time in years (after a swift trip to the cash-machine by the director). Alongside Captain Dave Brock are drummer Simon Chadwick, keyboards-player Jason Stuart, singer-bassist Mr Dids and synth-wiz Tim Blake returning 28 years after he briefly joined for the first time.

Straddling Hawkwind’s 40- year career, there’s now an element of high-panto in the old starship troopers’ show as, beneath state-of-the-art light formations, Mr Digs earnestly intones like a de-vocodered Dalek about being abducted by aliens, while during Robot a dreadlocked bloke does the mechanical man street mime walk before dancers appear later in the set. Best of all is Masters Of The Universe, when the group are blasted by flashing lights and smoke as they launch into the classic Hawkwind space-boogie. Jason Stuart died from a brain haemorrhage in August, giving this an extra, poignant significance, especially as he provides many of the highlights here.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Landmark | 74420

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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