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Academy 1 (Manchester Academy)
10th September 2016

Toots and his Maytals appeared triumphantly onto the Academy stage following 3 year break from performing live after a near-death incident onstage when a drunken fan threw a huge glass bottle of vodka hitting Toots on the head and causing massive head injuries. As well as physical injury, Toots suffered with memory loss and anxiety of performing on stage, and with this in mind, the crowd cheered him like a conquering hero as he kicked off the show with Pressure Drop.

For a man aged 73 and considering his recent health issues I was expecting a muted and abbreviated set but I was so wrong, he led us though a full 80 minute show that never once dipped with energy or charisma. Toots and the band delivered a faultless live performance that the absence of a live brass band and seriously low volume couldn't dampen.