Francis Rossi took to the stage at Galway's Leisureland complex on Tuesday night [14 April 2026], delivering an intimate evening of stories and songs, interspersed with no-filter humour and plenty of fiery fretwork. Abetted by sidemen and Andy Brook, the twosome opened the Status Quo songbook for a stripped back set of classics and deep cuts for a truly intimate evening.
Photo; Press.
With six decades in music and sales of over 100 million records, Francis Rosssi has plenty of songs to sing and stories to tell. He may be a 76 years old - though, as he tells the crowd later "I identify as a 55 year old man" - but there's plenty of life in the old dog of two head yet, and tonight Leisureland is treated to a special set of Quo classics, dry humour, and plenty more besides.
Francis Rossi has always been as hilarious as he is forthright - see our 2019 interview - so its almost unbelievable that its taken him this long to do a tour in this format. Part spoken word, part musical, and armed with nothing more a pair of red arm chairs and a number of Fender electro acoustics, it's a stripped back as it gets.
That famous good humour kicks off the second he arrives on stage. Standing on the lip and gazing out at the modestly sold ballroom, he declares deadpan; "we need more seats for the people who aren't here", to belly laughs from the crowd who more than make up for the numbers in spirit.
There's plenty of chat, from his upbringing in South London to the universal appeal of Status Quo's signature shuffle, and the effects of aging, all delivered with trademark straight faced sarcasm.
Musically, although there's no bass or drums, this isn't exactly unplugged, and with liberal use of overdrive and guitar effects the sound is beefed-up considerably. This is evident from the start, where Francis takes us right back to the beginning of his career with the uncannily accurate guitar tones of Quo's debut hit 'Pictures of Matchstick Men'.
Musical partner Andy Brook meanwhile is the perfect foil, providing the rhythms for Rossi to let loose over, as well as the vocal harmonies once occupied by Rick Parfitt.
The set list is a real treat for fans, and it's littered with songs that Quo either ignored altogether, or haven't played in full in decades, from the blues of 'Spinning Wheel Blues' - last performed by Quo in 1971 - to the pop perfection of 'What You're Proposing', which barely made it into the set past 1985.
The fist half of the evening progresses entirely chronologically, and we get, among others, a little country with 'Wild Side of Life' - "I like this one!" - 'Hello!' rarity 'Claudie', and 1981 ballad 'Rock n Roll'.
One song that doesn't make the cut however is 'Down The Dustpipe', to the chagrin of one overly-keen heckler. "If you could have met me two years ago at rehearsals, we could have decided the set list together", he retorts hilariously.
Francis Rossi has always been as hilarious as he is forthright - see our 2019 interview - so its almost unbelievable that its taken him this long to do a tour in this format. Part spoken word, part musical, and armed with nothing more a pair of red arm chairs and a number of Fender electro acoustics, it's a stripped back as it gets.
That famous good humour kicks off the second he arrives on stage. Standing on the lip and gazing out at the modestly sold ballroom, he declares deadpan; "we need more seats for the people who aren't here", to belly laughs from the crowd who more than make up for the numbers in spirit.
There's plenty of chat, from his upbringing in South London to the universal appeal of Status Quo's signature shuffle, and the effects of aging, all delivered with trademark straight faced sarcasm.
Musically, although there's no bass or drums, this isn't exactly unplugged, and with liberal use of overdrive and guitar effects the sound is beefed-up considerably. This is evident from the start, where Francis takes us right back to the beginning of his career with the uncannily accurate guitar tones of Quo's debut hit 'Pictures of Matchstick Men'.
Musical partner Andy Brook meanwhile is the perfect foil, providing the rhythms for Rossi to let loose over, as well as the vocal harmonies once occupied by Rick Parfitt.
The set list is a real treat for fans, and it's littered with songs that Quo either ignored altogether, or haven't played in full in decades, from the blues of 'Spinning Wheel Blues' - last performed by Quo in 1971 - to the pop perfection of 'What You're Proposing', which barely made it into the set past 1985.
The fist half of the evening progresses entirely chronologically, and we get, among others, a little country with 'Wild Side of Life' - "I like this one!" - 'Hello!' rarity 'Claudie', and 1981 ballad 'Rock n Roll'.
One song that doesn't make the cut however is 'Down The Dustpipe', to the chagrin of one overly-keen heckler. "If you could have met me two years ago at rehearsals, we could have decided the set list together", he retorts hilariously.
Photo; Press.
Following an intermission, the talk takes a back seat, with the music front and centre. "This is the part of the set that features what the press have called 'the deeper cuts", says Rossi; "those are the ones that hurt the most".
Despite the pun, the press aren't wrong, and we get 1978's 'Someone Show Me Home', and 2007's 'Tongue Tied', neither of which were ever performed live during his day job.
From there it's a hit after hit, with a delightfully gritty 'Roll Over Lay Down', anthem 'Rockin' All Over the World' which raises the dancers to their feet, and a lengthy take on Quo's only number one single, 'Down Down'.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming and putting up with the croaky voice", he says, taking his bows as the last notes of 'Caroline' ring out.
As those final chords fade and the applause lingers, it’s clear that this is more than just a nostalgic run-through of familiar tracks. Rossi delivers a set that balances reflection with the raw energy that built Status Quo's reputation. Croaky voice or not, there’s an authenticity to the performance that resonates throughout, reminding the audience why these songs have endured.
A night that celebrates not just the catalogue and a life in music, but a career still very much alive on stage.
Despite the pun, the press aren't wrong, and we get 1978's 'Someone Show Me Home', and 2007's 'Tongue Tied', neither of which were ever performed live during his day job.
From there it's a hit after hit, with a delightfully gritty 'Roll Over Lay Down', anthem 'Rockin' All Over the World' which raises the dancers to their feet, and a lengthy take on Quo's only number one single, 'Down Down'.
"I'd like to thank you all for coming and putting up with the croaky voice", he says, taking his bows as the last notes of 'Caroline' ring out.
As those final chords fade and the applause lingers, it’s clear that this is more than just a nostalgic run-through of familiar tracks. Rossi delivers a set that balances reflection with the raw energy that built Status Quo's reputation. Croaky voice or not, there’s an authenticity to the performance that resonates throughout, reminding the audience why these songs have endured.
A night that celebrates not just the catalogue and a life in music, but a career still very much alive on stage.