Slady Live in Worthing! Its a Christmas parteeee!

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Slady, Support: Mel – The Pocket Rocket, The Factory Live 22 December 2024

Worthing was to see and most definitely hear the noize from Slady. They claim to be the world’s only all female tribute band to legendary 1970’s glam rock band Slade. I did a quick google search and that claim would still seem to be correct. The Factory Live was decked with lights and Christmas Trees and looked great. The sound mix tonight was spot on.

“Us lot at SLADY got together coz we luv Slade, performing on stage and bringin the house down.”

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Slady, well I have known these guys since June 2019 when they launched their first gig at The Prince Albert in Brighton. I did a lot of photography for them and the shots were used for posters and T Shirts, so I have a lot of love for these guys. They have been pretty busy on the road playing it hard and fast and also put in a couple of support slots for my pals The Rezillos. This new line, Davina Hill – guitars and a new Donna Powell – on the drums have been playing together for a while now, trust me these guys are really rock solid.

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Had a good chat pre gig with a hug from Jem and Gobby. They have been busy, this was their third gig in a week and this Worthing gig was the last night of the mini tour. They are taking some time to rehearse and pull in some new Slade material for 2025 and to write more of their own material. Gobby reminded me the first time we met, she was suffering with laryngitis, and tonight she was recovering from another throat infection. She had been pretty poorly and had to cancel one of their gigs. She was taking sips of whisky to soothe her throat as we spoke. They both said that they had had a great tour, playing to many people across many venues across the UK. They thanked everyone who had been out to see them play. The longest serving original band members, and the two who came up with the original idea include Gobby Holder and Jem Lea.

Ok, some of you may be thinking this could not possibly work, but let me assure you, it 100% does! They kinda join the realm of The Ramonas and Sex Pissed Dolls, and other all fine female tributes out there. But this is all heavily made up with guitars and glitter, and is pure glam rock at its finest. Slady have just well, got it. They have something special and unique. And are now stronger and louder than ever before.

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Bring The House Down

The powerful drums opened the set as Slady took to the Factory Live Stage. Guitars all plugged in and Gobby addresses the crowd “How are you feeeeeelin’?” opens Gobby Holder with an “We gonna Bring The House Down” and we were off, up and running. The Slade hit, together with a loud “Baby Baby Baby” and the band tore into Cum On Feel The Noize. Superb stuff as the band settled into their stride. Feel The Noize? We could feel it and hear it some brilliant buzzing guitars, a thumping bass line and a magnificent drum pattern. Slady were definitely in the room!

SLADY: The Band

Gobby Holder – guitars, vocals and that hat!

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Some great vocals that must be shredding her vocal chords to pieces along with some top notch guitar playing, some great moves, a huge smile, wild eyes and all the while kept the huge Noddy Holder mirrored hat in place.

Jem Lea – some mean Bass guitar and vocals, and glitter

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Jem Lea tucked to the side of the stage hammered out some top quality bass lines and also some fine backing vocals, rock poses galore and some impressive jumps in her silver glitter stacked platform boots.

Davina Hill – guitars and vocals, and glitter

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

On lead guitar duties was Davina Hill, she also put in some fine backing vox work. I have to give her a shout for some really good strong guitar leads and various breaks. During When The Lights Go Out she nailed down some top playing. At the end she brought out a replica of Dave Hills Super Yob guitar. Great stuff!

Donna Powell – on the drums

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The lady at the back, Donna Powell put down some strong patterns and fills She worked it hard all night, working with Jem to fill in the whole Slady/Slade sound.

Look Wot You Dun was up next, four songs in and these guys had the large crowd going for it, big time! Hands in the air and those Worthing voices rang out loud As the set progressed it was clear the guys knew their stuff and how to play it.

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Weer All Crazee

Then another fave with Slady doing Slade proud with Coz I Love You and a howler of Mama Weer All Crazee Now. The crowd who had used the two previous songs to catch their breath were back up for it with these two. Arms raised along with some fine Factory Choir voices to go with those two tracks. These guys really fuelled a good time atmosphere. It must be nearly Christmas?

We then had the brilliant Bangin Man and also one of their own songs, Dig Me. Dig Me is on the latest single CD release and it’s a stomper!

The difference from those first gigs to this one tonight was huge, and all matched by the fine wall of sound. Slady were just killing it, and doing it in style. How to do a gig! The crowd moved forward as best they could, as it was pretty packed in there, it was hot and humid – a perfect atmosphere for a rock and roll gig!

These guys were not going to let us go. A helluva decent glittertastic racket filled the The Factory Live!  We also had a couple of lesser known Slade bangers in the set. A great set list which pleased the wide ranging audience.

One of my all time fave slade tunes is Run Runaway, and Slady nailed it. The guitar riffs were spot on! Skweeze me, Pleeze Me was up and I think one was originally from 1973. Also in the set was one of the first vinyl singles I ever bought, Take Me Bak ‘Ome.

Wall Of Sound

We then had the brilliant Everyday and the slow stomping rock of Gudbye To Jane. After that a moment to pause and then Gobby shaking the decorations and our glasses let rip with “It’s Christmas!” Merry Christmas Everybody was delivered with the power of a glam powered steam hammer. It smacked us silly as we all joined in. Looking back into the crowd all I could see was hot sweaty faces and everyone, and I DO MEAN EVERYONE! was singing.  The Ladies of SLADY nailed it.

Slady: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The last one tonight was the classic Get Down Get With It. Pure class Slady! Great job! Be assured that if you are going to see Slady, you are going to get a good handful of the standard greatest hits, but you will also get some nice surprises. Slady generated an electric atmosphere for the crowd, and no doubt gained some new fans. The audience here tonight were well into it bopping and singing along in unison.

Tonight was definitely a hell raising, foot stomping night which delivered class tunes, one after the other. Scene Sussex fell head over heels for these guys back when we first met, and we still are!

A Crazee Video!

There has been a lot of feedback on this gig. I think those who missed it will be having a word with themselves! The good news is that they may return for 2025! So keep an eye out on The Factory Live website.

Well played Slady – Come back ‘ome soon, Worthing loves ya x MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU x

Feel The Noize on Facebook with SLADY here! Online they are here https://www.sladyworld.com/

Mel, The Pocket Rocket.

Mel, The Pocket Rocket, photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Mel had a quite a job to do tonight! And she did a great job in warming up the large Factory audience before Slady.

What a voice! She is indeed a rocket! Some fabulous covers ranging from an electrifying performance of Suzi Quatro’s Devil Gate Drive to a spine-tingling rendition of Queen’s Radio Ga Ga.

Mel has a powerful voice, and can tune it to various styles from an all out rocker to the operatic voice required for Bohemian Rhapsody. A brave song to do at anytime but Mel did it all! Mel has various guises, ABBA and Kylie but she has also supported bands such as T’Pau.

As her short, but very sweet set came to a close, a Christmas hat was put in place for I wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday!

Mel, The Pocket Rocket, photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Mels face seemed to light up with sheer joy as her short set progressed belting out tunes we all knew, no doubt she is a master of her craft, a magnificent pop, rock, operatic vocalist! If you get to see Mel perform then GO! She will entertain and amaze you with her voice and material.

Mel can be found on Facebook here!

And Finally…

Huge thanks to SLADY and Mel

Safe to say we all had a great time at The Factory Live. All the staff were very helpful and welcoming as they always are. Thanks to Stephen for looking after me (much appreciated, you are a star). This is a great venue for music, comedy or Blues on a Sunday afternoon! Nicely done guys! Experience The Factory Live! A 285 capacity live music venue situated in the heart of Worthing on the South Coast. They recently announced they were awarded Live Music Venue of the year in West Sussex 2024/2025. Congratulations from Scene Sussex, well deserved. I have had many great times there, and look forward to more visits.

Words and photos by Ian Bourn.

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