Heaven Can Wait in Worthing

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Heaven Can Wait – Meat Loaf Tribute Theatre Tour

The Factory Live: 18 Jan 2026

The greatest tunes from one of the planet’s most famous rock stars filled the ears of music fans in Worthing.

Meat Loaf

Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor. He was known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. His Bat Out of Hell album trilogy—Bat Out of Hell (1977), Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell (1993), and Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose (2006)—has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The first album stayed on the charts for over nine years, and I still have my original vinyl!

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Heaven Can Wait

Featuring the incredible vocals of Lee Brady and an outstanding live band comprised of the UK’s most skilled rock musicians and a powerhouse female vocalist, Heaven Can Wait set about to deliver an electrifying tribute to Meat Loaf’s greatest hits.

2022 was a sad year. It was the year we lost the iconic Meat Loaf. On Sunday evening 18 January 2026 I attended Heaven Can Wait. The Concert, was held at The Factory Live in Worthing, and what a night it was for Meat Loaf fans!

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The performance was heavily built around the popular Bat Out Of Hell album, which was released in 1974 and is to this day one of his best known albums. The Bat Out Of Hell album was one of my most played records. I knew every word to every song and even today I can say I still do.

The Band

The band are in great shape. The bass playing on All Revved Up together with some electrifying guitar work turned a fair few of the crowds heads. The drums powered at us and a shout to Dave on the keyboards. All totally on point. But, the stealer of the show has to be the main man himself. Lee Brady doing justice to Meat Loaf’s singing and performance. It is huge and, well, just awesome throughout the near two hour show. The band deserve an equal shout, they were superb – Curtis on lead guitar (quite breathtaking at times, great fretwork!), Neil on his bass guitar, the wonderful vocalist Kerry Carlton, Dave on keyboards and Lee on drums at the back.

The band took to their positions, the stage went dark and we were deafened by the sound of a guttural motorbike revving up. The keys started up and Lee took to the stage, producing gasps from the crowd and that was even before singing his first note! Bat Out Of Hell opened up segued with Life Is A Lemon.

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

We then had Not a Dry Eye In The House, Lee/Meat Loaf stopped for a chat and some fine banter, at times hilarious, with the crowd just as Meat Loaf used to do. Rock And Roll Dreams Come True and You Took The Words Out Of My Mouth were served up in quick succession. Lee explained his love of Meat Loaf and how they wanted to replicate the sounds of those original recordings.

A heart-warming beautiful rendition of Heaven Can Wait was performed with Dave on keys and Lee doing the vocals. It was beautiful as he sang the song dedicating it to his hero. To end the first set the band ignited once again with All Revved Up With No Place To Go.

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The music is incredibly well-presented, but the pure enthusiasm proves infectious with The Factory Live, all of us joining in joyously. Lee had the crowd, we were in his pocket from start to finish, we responded to his every call and sang each and every word back to him.

Set Two

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The production tonight is brilliant, adding to the atmosphere were the acoustics with well synced lighting effects coming together to boost the performance. Lee’s comedic banter, commentary and story delivery helped the show to flow brilliantly.

On A Hot Summer Night…

After a 25 minute break Heaven Can Wait took to the stage with I’d Do Anything For Love. It sounded magnificent, into a song from Jim Steinman’s solo album Bad For Good, Out of The Frying Pan, later used on Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell 2. We also had a slice of Life and Death of an American Guitar. The band rocked the roof off for frying pan, it truly sizzled! The crisp sound allowing each of the performers to shine. An incredibly moving version of Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad followed, this song clearly resonated with the audience as I noticed a couple of audience members with tears running down their face as they joined in.

Missing In Action!

Time for two bangers! Dead ringer For Love and Paradise by The Dashboard Light. Both songs were loud, fast an accurate. Both replicating the video or Old Grey Whistle Test performance of the songs. This was pure rock and roll theatre and the vocals were on point we had Cher and Meat Loaf performing in front of our eyes for Dead ringer. Two amazing voices singing two amazing songs.

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Paradise was split into the various sections all carried along with strong vocal work and the band firing it up on all cylinders.

This is proper rock opera and Meat Loaf was a real character who was almost larger than life itself, and Lee did the man justice with his performance. There were no holds barred for this performance, it was slick, punchy, raunchy and fabulous to watch.

Another piano and vocals track was up next Crying Out Loud. Then once again Motorcycle engines roared as were taken back into Hell for a reprise of Bat Out Of Hell. It was energetic and frenetic. This was every bit I was hoping it would be live. The kind of song that I’ve been waiting years to hear live. Lee/Meat Loaf sings flawlessly with at times real spine chilling moments.

This spellbinding concert took us on a mega roller-coaster ride through those highly respected and iconic anthems, including: I’d Do Anything for Love, Bat Out of Hell, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer for Love and many more!

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of rock and passion: Heaven Can Wait is the ultimate celebration of Meat Loaf’s legendary music! It’s all tightly wrapped up and presented by one of the finest “tribute” bands I have seen, and I have seen a few.

A VIDEO – MONTAGE!

Make sure you see them if they play near you, you will not be disappointed and you will be left wanting more.

Time for a well deserved bow. Well played Heaven Can Wait!

Heaven Can Wait: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Heaven Can Wait are setting out, hitting the highway like a battering ram through 2026.

If you were there for this performance, you know.

If you missed it… don’t make that mistake twice. Heaven Can Wait will return, Be There!

Words, Videos and Photos for Scene Sussex by Ian Bourn.

Heaven Can Wait are on Facebook here – check out the dates of the tour, seriously, this is one you do not want to miss!
Thanks to:
Heaven Can Wait 

The Factory Live

CONGRATULATIONS to The Factory Live: Prestige Awards , an organisation launched to celebrate businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, has crowned The Factory in Worthing as South England ‘Live Music Venue of the Year’ for 2025-26, a second consecutive win for the intimate venue on the South Coast, who were also awarded the title in 2024-25. Well deserved guys!

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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2026.

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