The Cart and Horses, Stratford, has an association with Iron Maiden that goes back decades. Steve Harris first performed with Gypsies Kiss 39 years ago, and he later returned with Iron Maiden, who had their first residency there. Fast forward to 2023, and the pub has a new, multipurpose basement venue where this week, the musical chameleon and ex-Iron Maiden keyboard player Tony Moore brought his one-man stage show Awake for one night only.
Tony Moore
Cart And Horses – 2 May 2023
Words and Photography: Mike Chudleigh
On a miserable Tuesday night, the show has sold out in advance, and the atmosphere is electric. The show is a multimedia extravaganza conceptualised in a dark time for artists, the lockdown. Not wishing to retrain, as suggested by the government, after decades in the music business Tony embarked on a conceptual musical journey that tonight arrived at the Cart and Horses.
Tony explained the show’s emotionally charged concept, which features an animated video backdrop for every song that not only complements but also interacts with Tony’s performance. With additional lighting, laser and smoke, this show wouldn’t look out of place in any arena. Tony is well known as a virtuoso keyboardist performing on a worldwide tour with The Cutting Crew. He is an accomplished vocalist and plays a mean guitar.
The songs and videos are so in tune with each other, and there are even parts where a recorded Tony accompanies himself on screen, playing the guitar to his live keyboards and vocals. We kept an eye on the screen for Tony throughout. The whole show is planned in incredible detail and requires split-second timing.
Tony said after the show it took two days to set up. The Cart and Horses PA system sounded world class which was something that both local guitar Hero Terry Wapram mentioned… oh and some chap called Steve Harris. Iron Maiden’s bass-playing legend was also at the Cart to enjoy Tony’s show, not for the first time, remarking very positively on Tony’s show and the production levels. Dave Sullivan, a founding Iron Maiden guitarist, was also in attendance.
Tony explained the idea to showcase the material had evolved so much he decided to perform it live before releasing it as an album. A night worthy of a 10/10 for both song (Crazy In The Shed and Awake, my personal highlights) and visual content.
With possible influences from Pink Floyd to Madness, what’s not to love?
The night also reunited Iron Maiden’s 1978 lineup of Steve Harris, Terry Wapram and Tony Moore for a photo which was the perfect end to a perfect night out at a bargain price.
Keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/tonymooremedia for more Tony Moore dates.
Cart And Horses – Whats On in May
For more information, visit https://www.cartandhorses.london.
