UFO @ The Independent 3/26/2016

UFO, the English Hard-Rock band that's been rockin' since 1969 played at The Independent on Saturday night! The line to get in was still wrapped around the corner from the venue a good half hour after doors opened.  Once inside, drinks started flowing early on and heavily while fans grew impatient during the openers, My Heavy Memory and started ominously chanting "UFO, UFO, UFO" in the middle of their set!

UFO @ The Independent 3/26/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

When UFO took the stage the place grew louder and rowdier as their middle aged + SF fanbase went wild. Matching a lot of their fans in the crowd, the whole band wore all black which created a sense of unity in the room. 

Being that singer Phil Mogg and drummer Andy Parker are the only two remaining original members, keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond, guitarist Vinnie Moore and bassist Rob De Lucca play so seamlessly and with such comradery that it's hard to believe that they haven't all been together since UFO's beginning. 

UFO @ The Independent 3/26/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

Along with Songs from across their 22 album catalogue, including 2015's Conspiracy of Stars, the heavy metal dudes played an impressive cover of Adele's Rolling in the Deep. While the room full of fans couldn't help but sing along to every song some incorporated air guitar and some rocked out harder than others but the room full of fans couldn't help but sing along to every song. There was zero synthetic enhancements on Phil Mogg's  melodic vocals and though this might have taken some of the edge away as heard on recordings, he still delivered and sounded solid. 

UFO @ The Independent 3/26/2016
Photo by Marc Fong 

Raymond, Moore and De Lucca lived up to the expectation of their predecessors while adding their own flare to original hits. Under a mirage of pretty lights, their percussion driven sound polished by low rumbles of bass carried by Mogg's passionate performance made for a memorable night.