Staus Quo REVIEW: Acoustic Quo maintain their rockin’ status

Yet here they are in 2017. With Francis Rossi the sole-remaining member from the original Frantic Four line-up, both unimaginable occurrences have come to pass.

With Parfitt alive but in failing health, Quo announced they were stopping performing electric shows following last winter’s British tour – and becoming a full-time acoustic outfit instead.

But while Parfitt’s demise appears to have altered that plan – loads of new plugged-in shows have been added to the tour itinerary – Rossi is also forging ahead with his ‘Aquostic’ shows running both bands in parallel.

Performing their first gig of either variety on English soil since Parfitt’s sudden death last Christmas Eve, there is a visible void to the left of the stage at York’s Barbican Theatre even though replacement rhythm guitarist Richie Malone is accompanied by an additional long-blonde-haired guitarist Ralf Oehmichen.

But the sound from the off is sensational as the band – complete with long-term members Andy Bown and Rhino Edwards on backing rhythm and bass respectively – launch into And It’s Better Now.

All musicians – and almost all of the audience remain seated – with only female backing singers Amy Smith and Hannah Rickard on their feet for an opening salvo including Break The Rules, Again and Again and Paper Plane.

It’s a strange scenario as Quo usually create a vibrant-atmosphere from the off but as soon as the opening chords of Caroline begin En Masse the audience rise and there they remain up and rocking for the rest of the night.

It’s a mixed audience of children, teenagers, middle-aged couples, old rockers, a few blue rinses and an abundance of bald heads – but each and everyone has a huge smile on their face and know the words to every track.

Transformed the guitars become louder, the drums seem a tad meatier and Geraint Watkins accordion becomes a little less obtrusive.

Rossi and his cohorts then ditch their seated position for the Irish jig of Hold You Back as we are treated to a set-list of less obvious gems from the band’s illustrious past.

The girl’s take over lead vocal duties to remember Parfitt on his ballad All The Reasons however there is no strangely no specific reference to his long-term colleague’s death made by Rossi during the one hour 40 minute performance.

But that aside during That’s A Fact, Rollin’ Home, Claudie and into the guaranteed crowd-pleasing finale of Whatever You Want and Rockin’ All Over The World you can almost forget this isn’t a normal Quo show as the party atmosphere explodes. A sweat-drenched encore of Burning Bridges has everyone in the audience from eight to 80 bouncing on their toes.

Despite all the tribulations of recent months it appears the Status Quo has well and truly been maintained.

*Status Quo will headline the Acoustic Stage on Friday night at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.