This one wasn’t in the 2025 gig diary. But when Jimmy dropped me a message less than a week before showtime asking, “Fancy Deacon Blue in Cambridge?”—I couldn’t resist. With tickets secured and a pint or two behind us, we set off on what turned out to be a night of memorable music, wayward navigation, and a gentle reminder that prep pays.

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A Setlist Split by Decades

Deacon Blue have been part of the soundtrack to my life since the late ’80s, but I’d only managed to catch them live once before. It was time to put that right. The Cambridge Corn Exchange played host to the Scottish six-piece, and while the venue acoustics can be hit or miss, their energy and musicianship were undeniable.

The setlist was nicely balanced between old favourites and newer material. Ricky Ross’s vocals remain soulful and commanding, full of the passion and poetry that have always defined Deacon Blue’s sound. Lorraine McIntosh’s harmonies added richness, though her contributions felt a little too sparse for my liking—she deserves more spotlight.

Personal favourites were, unsurprisingly, the eight tracks from the 1980s. Hearing Dignity, Real Gone Kid and Chocolate Girl live again stirred the nostalgia pot good and proper. The newer songs, though unfamiliar, were clearly well-received by the diehards around us. My only regret? Not brushing up on the new album beforehand—it would’ve made for a fuller experience.

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A Roundabout Route to the Music

Our pre-gig pub crawl included Wetherspoons (naturally), before setting off for the Corn Exchange. Unfortunately, my self-appointed role as group navigator didn’t go quite to plan. Jimmy, Hacks, Chef and I took the scenic route—several thousand steps worth, in fact—thanks to a few misread signs and my legendary lack of direction. Turns out, turning left out of the pub would have saved us a lot of grief.

Still, we made it. And even if the venue didn’t sound at its best on the night, the band more than compensated.

Final Thoughts

Deacon Blue remain a tight, passionate, and genuine live act. Ricky and Lorraine have lost none of their charm, and their music continues to resonate with multiple generations. While I didn’t fully connect with the newer material this time, that’s on me—not them.

Would I go again? Absolutely. But next time, I’ll do my homework—and hand the navigation over to someone else.