A blustery Friday night by the coast, a couple of pints in The Grosvenor, and a five-minute battle through Storm Amy — not the most glamorous route to rock ’n’ roll history, but that’s Felixstowe for you. This time it was just me and Neil, venturing out to see Roy Orbison & The Traveling Wilburys Experience at the Spa Pavilion.
The Spa itself deserves a nod. Originally opened in 1909 as The New Floral Hall, the venue has weathered wars, fires, rebuilds, and even a brief closure before its 2015 revival. Today it stands proudly on the seafront — part theatre, part time capsule — a rare survivor of Britain’s seaside entertainment heyday. Plush red seats, art deco charm, and that faint sense of history in the air make it a perfect setting for a night steeped in nostalgia.
The lineup was a full Wilburys roll call:
- Paul Hopkins as Roy Orbison
- Aubrey Robinson as Bob Dylan
- Owen Johnstone as George Harrison
- Al Camino as Jeff Lynne
- Ross Griggs as Tom Petty
- Sean Gregory Wright as Jim Keltner
That’s a big set of shoes — and sunglasses — to fill, but credit where it’s due: they nailed it. Hopkins’ Orbison was pitch-perfect, his voice soaring through Orbison’s catalogue with spine-tingling control. There’s a fine line between imitation and impersonation, and he walked it beautifully.
The Wilburys songs had genuine warmth. “Handle With Care,” “End of the Line,” and my favourite, “Tweeter and the Monkey Man” all hit the sweet spot — reverent without being rigid. The band clearly respected the material, and it showed. You could tell these weren’t session players on autopilot; they were fans themselves, loving every moment.
It was ninety minutes of pure class — timeless songs from each Wilbury’s solo/previous careers alongside highlights from the Wilburys’ own catalogue, all handled with care and craft. A night to sit back, listen, and appreciate music made properly.
Out of respect for the performers’ request, no videos were taken during the show due to copyright restrictions. I managed a quick couple of shots before and after, and borrowed one official image from the band’s own Facebook page — which you can find here.
Verso’s Moan:
The theatre was barely half full. Half full. £29 a ticket for two hours of sheer quality — genuine musicianship, timeless songs, and one of the best tribute acts on the circuit — and people still don’t show up. Folk will happily drop forty quid shouting over a DJ in a tent. Priorities, people. This one deserved a packed house.
Verdict:
Faultless performances, rich nostalgia, and a seaside venue that still has soul. It deserved a full house and a standing ovation and I’ll be back at Christmas 2026
