Suzi Quatro live at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre (20.4.2026).
When Suzi Quatro‘s first LP was released in 1973 I was 10 years old. Top of the Pops was something I was starting to notice. Look-In magazine was something I started to buy every week. Suzi Quatro would become a regular feature of both as the 70s progressed, often dressed in her leathers.
I never bought any Suzi Quatro records back then (I picked up a vinyl hit LP last year in a bargain bin) but she was a significant part of my early years rock music appreciation, luring me in for a lifetime of live gigs, records, tapes, CDs and radio and internet listening.
I didn’t see her live until four years ago, right down the front, on the edge of the stage at The Royal Albert Hall. When the 2026 tour was announced I noticed the last date was Bournemouth – why not I thought.
Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre is a tired old place with a sense of history and some gloomy bars – outside of the winter months the Terrace Bar, downstairs and looking out over the gardens is the place to go pre-gig.
If driving, park close in the area immediately around the theatre, which I found to my cost is about £5 cheaper than the neighbouring one and the one over the road and closer to the cliff.
Tonight’s gig was all Suzi and her band. No support and two part, the second starting with some chat around her career and her achievements.
She started with The Wild One and while I am unfamiliar with her entire back catalogue, it’s all good ole rock’n’roll with plenty of radio play hits… like Mama’s Boy and the infamous 48 Crash, first half highlight.
I remember deciding that if I was going, I’d get a decent seat and there I was in row B with room for legs in the aisle, and Suzi Q towering over me from the edge of the stage. This was an eye contact seat.
Part one’s penultimate song was her cover of Neil Young’s wonderful Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World. As she points out, she will only play covers of songs featured on her albums. I’ll remember that now.
Second half and the classic leather one-piece is out. What a grand lady of rock’n’roll Suzi is. There is a no nonsense kick ass side but she seems so grounded – it’s like she has her old friends round for a party.
Early on after the break, there’s a talk section where Suzi gives a whistle stop run through her emergence on the pop/rock scene, coming to the UK and her long career highlights and some of her treasured awards.
Bad Moon Rising is another classic cover and the set it picking up. There’s an extensive bass solo and drum solo that she has a roll in and the other accomplished musicians she has gathered around her get a chance for a mini solo each as well.
Before we know it the crowd are dragging themselves up from their seats for Can The Can followed by Devilgate Drive. “Come alive yeah!”
This is an exhibition in how to grow old. What a lady…at 75 and after 62 years in the business.
Suzi Q takes a seat and slows it down for the end. An evening of reflection on a rock’n’roll icon.
Never thought I’d be here in Bournemouth in 2026 when I was reading Look-In magazine back the London suburbs in the 70s.
That’s it for the Suzi Q UK tour 2026 but on she goes shortly into Europe.
Gigs with Ivan 