Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop rock band formed in Glasgow in 1985. The band consists of vocalist Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond. Deacon Blue are best known for their songs “Dignity”, “Real Gone Kid”, “Wages Day”, “Chocolate Girl” and “Fergus Sings the Blues”. Their music style combines pop, rock and folk.
When and where are Deacon Blue touring in 2023?
Deacon Blue have a UK and Ireland tour scheduled for October and November 2023. The tour starts in Brighton on October 28th and finishes in London on November 23rd. In between, the band will play shows in Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Nottingham, Liverpool, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Cambridge and more. The full list of tour dates is:
| October 28th | Brighton, Brighton Centre |
| October 29th | Bristol, O2 Academy |
| October 31st | Birmingham, O2 Academy |
| November 1st | Manchester, O2 Apollo |
| November 2nd | Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom |
| November 4th | Aberdeen, Music Hall |
| November 5th | Newcastle, O2 City Hall |
| November 7th | Nottingham, Rock City |
| November 8th | Liverpool, O2 Academy |
| November 9th | Cardiff, Great Hall |
| November 11th | Bournemouth, O2 Academy |
| November 12th | Cambridge, Corn Exchange |
| November 14th | Leicester, De Montfort Hall |
| November 15th | Hull, City Hall |
| November 17th | Oxford, O2 Academy |
| November 18th | Portsmouth, Guildhall |
| November 20th | Norwich, UEA |
| November 21st | Bath, Forum |
| November 23rd | London, Palladium |
So in summary, Deacon Blue are playing shows across the UK and Ireland throughout October and November 2023 as part of their latest tour. Major cities and venues include London Palladium, Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom, Manchester O2 Apollo and Birmingham O2 Academy.
What is a typical Deacon Blue setlist in 2023?
Deacon Blue’s typical setlist during their 2023 tour is likely to include a mix of their classic hits and material from recent albums like 2020’s City of Love. Fans can expect to hear iconic songs like “Dignity”, “Chocolate Girl”, “Real Gone Kid” and “Wages Day” which have been staples of their live show over the years.
The band will probably open the show with a well known song to get the crowd going like “Dignity” or “Real Gone Kid”. They’ll follow this with a mix of singles and fan favourites like “Your Town”, “Twist and Shout” and “Cover from the Sky”. Singer Ricky Ross is likely to perform a solo piano or acoustic section mid-show, playing stripped back songs like “Love Hurts” and “This Changing Light”.
Towards the end of the main set, expect big anthemic hits like “Fergus Sings the Blues”, “Your Swaying Arms” and “When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)”. The encore could feature a cover song, perhaps something like Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” which they’ve played live before. They’ll close the show with a final crowd-pleasing single like “Loch Lomond” or “Chocolate Girl”.
Example 2023 Deacon Blue Setlist
Here is an example of what a typical 2023 Deacon Blue setlist could look like:
- Dignity
- Real Gone Kid
- Your Town
- Twist and Shout
- Wages Day
- Love Hurts (Ricky Ross solo piano)
- This Changing Light (Ricky Ross solo acoustic)
- Cover from the Sky
- The Hipsters
- Fergus Sings the Blues
- Your Swaying Arms
- When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)
- Encore:
- Dancing in the Dark (Springsteen cover)
- Loch Lomond
Of course, Deacon Blue may switch some songs in and out of the setlist for variety on different nights. But this gives a good idea of the range of material fans can expect to hear at their 2023 shows.
How long will a Deacon Blue concert be?
Based on recent tours, a typical Deacon Blue concert in 2023 will likely be around 1 hour and 45 minutes long. This would include a main set lasting around 90 minutes, followed by a 15-20 minute encore at the end.
The main set is likely to contain around 20-25 songs. As mentioned, they’ll probably open strong with a well known hit to get the audience going. The mid-section will include a good mix of singles, fan favourites and album tracks to keep up the momentum. Then the end of the main set will be more focused on big anthemic songs and classics to finish on a high.
After a short break, Deacon Blue will return for a 3-5 song encore. This gives them a chance to thank the fans and keep the feel-good atmosphere going a bit longer. The encore is also where they might mix things up a bit, perhaps throwing in a cover song or a rarely played track.
All in all, the full show will give fans a great overview of Deacon Blue’s career with plenty of singalong moments. The setlist is finely crafted to balance nostalgic hits with introducing newer material. And at around 105 minutes long, the show offers excellent value for ticket holders.
Who are the support acts on the Deacon Blue 2023 tour?
Deacon Blue have invited several talented support acts to join them at different shows on their 2023 tour. Here are some of the support acts playing on various dates:
Suzanne Vega
The acclaimed American singer-songwriter will be special guest at Deacon Blue’s London Palladium show on November 23rd. Vega is known for hits like “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” and will open the show with a set of her folk and alternative rock material.
Altered Images
Lead singer Clare Grogan and the new wave pop band will support several dates in October and November. Formed in Glasgow in the early 80s, Altered Images are sure to get Scottish crowds excited with hits like “Happy Birthday” and “I Could Be Happy”.
The Christians
The soulful Liverpool band will join Deacon Blue for shows in Bournemouth, Cambridge and Bath in November. Fans can expect 80s hits like “Forgotten Town” and “Harvest for the World” from their set.
Holly McNish
The poetic singer-songwriter will provide support in Brighton, Oxford and Portsmouth in October and November. Her observational folk songs offer a contrasting but complementary sound for the tour.
In addition, some dates will feature up and coming new bands from the local area opening the show. Deacon Blue are keen supporters of new music, so give these openers a listen as you might discover a new favourite act.
How can I buy tickets to see Deacon Blue in 2023?
There are a few different ways to get tickets to see Deacon Blue on their 2023 tour:
Official ticket vendors
Tickets are on sale now through official sites like Ticketmaster and SeeTickets. Prices range from around £30-£50 for most venues, going up to £60+ for premium seats in larger arenas. These sites are recommended for secure booking.
Resale sites
Websites like Viagogo, StubHub and Twickets allow fans to resell spare tickets. Prices here vary as they are set by individual sellers. Be aware of fake tickets on some resale sites.
Venue box offices
Many venues sell tickets directly through their own box office, either online or over the phone. This lets you avoid booking fees on other sites.
On tour
A limited number of tickets may be available to purchase at the venue on the day of each show. This is not guaranteed though as most shows sell out in advance.
I’d recommend booking early through an official vendor like Ticketmaster to secure the best seats. Deacon Blue have a loyal fanbase who snap up tickets quickly. Buying in advance also avoids long queues or disappointment on the day. Use reputable sites and be wary of fake resale tickets.
What are the best songs to see Deacon Blue perform live?
Here are some of the best Deacon Blue songs to catch live during their 2023 tour:
“Dignity”
Their signature song and a guaranteed show highlight. The anthemic chorus always sparks a mass singalong from the crowd.
“Real Gone Kid”
An upbeat fan favourite that will have everyone dancing in the aisles. Ricky Ross’ passionate vocals shine through.
“Chocolate Girl”
A joyful, feel-good number with Lorraine McIntosh taking lead vocals. Great memories for long-time fans.
“Wages Day”
A Celtic-folk tinged tune with political lyrics that takes on even more power live.
“Fergus Sings the Blues”
A real crowd-pleaser towards the end of the set. The piano lead-in immediately sparks cheers.
“Your Swaying Arms”
A stripped back ballad allowing Ricky Ross’ moving vocals to take center stage.
“Loch Lomond”
A rousing version of the traditional Scottish song makes for an iconic encore/finale moment.
Hearing Deacon Blue perform these emotive anthems live in concert is a real thrill for fans. The songs take on new life on stage as the crowd joins together to belt out the words.
How can I maximize my enjoyment of a Deacon Blue gig?
Here are some tips for making the most of a Deacon Blue concert experience:
- Arrive early – this ensures you beat queues and catch the support acts.
- Bring a fully charged phone – for taking photos/videos to relive the memories.
- Learn the lyrics – this helps you sing along and immerse yourself in the songs.
- Dance and clap – the more energy from the crowd, the better the band performs.
- Buy merch – look for tour exclusives like t-shirts to mark the occasion.
- Stay hydrated – concerts get warm, so bring some water to stay refreshed.
- Use earplugs – protect your hearing so you fully appreciate the music.
- Get close to stage – the atmosphere is strongest up front (but get there early!).
- Appreciate the classics – longtime fans will love hearing early hits played live.
- Discover new songs – open your ears to fresh material and recent releases too.
Following the above tips will help you get the most out of seeing Deacon Blue in concert. Sing, dance, engage with other fans, and immerse yourself in the live experience. You’ll create wonderful memories and a deeper connection with the band.
Conclusion
Seeing Deacon Blue on their 2023 tour is a great chance for fans to reconnect with the band and celebrate their enduring musical legacy. Their iconic songs take on new life in a live setting, especially with a passionate Scottish crowd. Following the tour dates across cities like Glasgow, London, Manchester and Birmingham offers the opportunity to soak up different shows. Looking out for special moments like Ricky Ross’ acoustic solo segments or surprise covers in the encore will make each gig unique too. With a career spanning over 30 years, Deacon Blue’s moving songs and vibrant performances remain a joy to experience. Their 2023 tour promises to be a nostalgic celebration of the band’s greatest hits performed with energy and emotion.
