10cc review – 70s legends reprise a dazzling string of pop classics

50 years since the band fractured with the departure of Godley and Creme, songs from Donna to I’m Not in Love are in prime condition on what is billed as ‘another bloody greatest hits tour’

10cc made some of the most innovative pop of the 1970s: melodic constructions combining glam rock, art rock, rock’n’roll and doo-wop with surreal Monty Pythonesque lyrics. Life was described as a “minestrone”, death “a cold lasagne, served up with parmesan cheese”. Sadly, their golden run suffered a jolt when Kevin Godley and Lol Creme left in 1976 to become a highly successful duo, with co-founder Eric Stewart heading for the exit almost two decades later.

Today, only bassist/singer Graham Gouldman, 79, remains from the original quartet – 2.5cc, if you will. However, with 70s-era live guitarist Rick Fenn still in the band and young drummer Ben Stone bringing a new energy, the current incarnation make a fine tribute. Singer Iain Hornal proves a match for Stewart’s formidable falsetto, and shares 10cc humour. He points out that 10cc wrote Old Wild Men when “you couldn’t imagine a group of guys touring the world in their 60s and 70s”. Titters abound, although in this context, the song itself is oddly moving.

This latest outing is self-mockingly titled And Another Bloody Greatest Hits Tour and it’s eye-watering to realise how many hits they had: Art for Art’s Sake, Good Morning Judge, The Wall Street Shuffle and the rest are 70s radio staples that still pop out of the airwaves in the backs of cabs. There are some surprises. 1972’s Donna, their first smash, is delivered barbershop-quartet style and Gouldman delves into his pre-10cc career for Bus Stop, which he wrote for the Hollies. Hornal admits his solo track Say the Word was actually designed to sound like classic 10cc. “I said: ‘I can help you with that,’” quips Gouldman.

The long departed Godley even makes a reappearance – on video, singing Somewhere in Hollywood – before a wonderful home run includes 1977 cod-reggae chart-topper Dreadlock Holiday and a sublime I’m Mandy Fly Me. Rubber Bullets has people dancing in the aisles. For most of those attending, hearing 1975’s pioneering multitracked vocal colossus I’m Not in Love performed to perfection will be a bucket list moment.

• 10cc play The Glasshouse, Gateshead, on 5 March; then touring