Under the banner “The Magicians Farewell Tour,” Uriah Heep is currently on their final extensive world tour and performed at Theater Heerlen last Sunday. And it was well worth it, as the theater was completely packed with fans of the band, with only a few seats left empty. One last chance to enjoy all-time classics like “Gypsy,” “Lady in Black,” or “Easy Livin’.”
However, before the Uriah Heep party got underway, the band was joined on stage by the originally Scottish group Heavy Pettin. This band released a few albums in the early ’80s that were excellent for their time and then vanished off the face of the earth. After several attempts to make a comeback, they’ve had a stable lineup again for the past few years, with only singer Stephen “Hamie” Hayman remaining as an original band member.
In 2025, the band even released a brand-new album titled ‘Rock Generation.’
old and new material
I actually saw the guys perform back in 2019, and I was pretty impressed by their show and setlist, so I was really curious to hear how the band sounds in 2026. The setlist is a great mix of old and new material. Songs like “Rock Generation” and “Mother Earth” from the new album, but also classics like “Rock Ain’t Dead” and “In And Out Of Love” from their early work.
Hamie certainly still has a great voice, and the rest of the band plays solidly as well. However, it all looked a bit awkward on stage, since the audience had to sit in the theater auditorium. And that’s a bit difficult or unnatural when you’re putting on a rock concert. As a result, the proverbial spark was slow to ignite. I think the band would have come into its own better in a “normal” concert hall.
intermission
As is customary in a theater, there was an opportunity to grab a drink and a snack in the theater lounge during the intermission. And about 10 minutes before the show started, a kind lady announced over the PA system that it was time to return to the auditorium for the start of the main act.
Uriah Heep radiated great energy right from the start, and the guys were clearly having a blast. That spark immediately caught on during the opening song, “Grazed By Heaven.” After that song, singer Bernie Shaw immediately urged the audience to get on their feet, because this is, damn it, a rock ’n’ roll show—not a theater performance. I think the bands were also surprised by the theater’s decision to schedule them in this hall instead of the Limburgzaal. Anyway, the audience heeded the call right away and immediately stood up.
fantastic sound and light
Although founder and guitarist Mick Box might be the only remaining member of the original classic lineup, it’s fair to say that singer Bernie Shaw and keyboardist Phil Lanzon are also first-generation band members. These gentlemen have been part of the band—which Box founded in 1969—since 1986.
Did we get an “old-timers’ night” today? Not at all—Uriah Heep sounded fantastic, had a stunning light show, and there was no sign of fatigue on stage. Shaw cheerfully skips all over the stage as if he were performing with this band for the very first time yesterday.
Bassist Dave Rimmer and, especially, drummer Russell Gilbrook provided a rock-solid foundation. Damn what a great drummer and amazing sound he had in his drumkit.
Farewell??
Shaw still sings his heart out, and Box truly radiates the joy of playing. No, there’s no sign of wear and tear in this band. The reason for the farewell tour has more to do with travel fatigue from extensive touring than with the band having had enough of playing live.
Old and new material blend seamlessly, sometimes with a more rock-oriented sound and sometimes with a more prog-oriented feel, as in the song “The Magician’s Birthday,” which also featured a beautiful solo by Mick Box.
If Uriah Heep really won’t be performing again in the future, they’ve bid farewell to their fans in a more than worthy manner—with stunning renditions of their songs, many of which people grew up listening to. If I were to give out points for a show, these gentlemen would score a well-deserved ten. And secretly, I hope they’ll just keep going with their farewell tour for a few more years ;).
Setlist:
Grazed By Heaven
Save Me Tonight
Shadows Of Grief
Stealin’
Hurricane
The Wizard
Sweet Lorraine
The Magician’s Birthday
Gypsy
July Morning
Lady In Black
Encore:
Sunrise
Easy Livin’
Report & Images by Raymond Helebrand
