Ever since I was a small boy in the 1960's, The Searchers have been one of my favourite groups and I have enjoyed seeing them perform live on several occasions, as well as being the proud owner of the cd box set of all their original Pye Records from those halcyon days. 

I last attended a Searchers concert in 2018, shortly before their first attempt to retire from touring and didn't expect to be reviewing one several years later, but the lure of the stage proved too strong on more than one occasion and it is only now that they are finally bringing their illustrious career (beginning in 1957, which makes them the longest serving group of their kind in the U.K.) to an end, with a farewell performance at the iconic Glastonbury Festival. 

The Searchers always put on a great show and this was no exception, as we were taken on a musical journey of hits, album tracks and a salute to the influences that shaped their career. They have also been an influential band in their own right , with groups such as The Byrds acknowledging that their  sound was modelled to a very large extent on the trademark "jangling guitars" of The Searchers. 

Our evening of entertainment ended with us on our feet, singing, clapping and swaying to a finale of "When You Walk In The Room" (my personal favourite Searchers hit), followed by an encore of "Twist And Shout" and a hits medley.  I was delighted the next morning to sing "When You Walk In The Room" to our online Music Academy with our team in Bangladesh and to introduce the band to them.

Between songs, it was great to hear the stories which Frank told in his usual interesting manner and also to witness the friendly banter among John, Spencer and himself. Their vocal harmonies were as tight as ever, with Richie keeping a solid backbeat  to the proceedings. To the present group members (as well as the others who have been part of the story over the years; some, sadly, no longer with us), I want to say a very big thank you for what your music has meant to me and here's to Glasonbury and a long and happy retirement.  Many thanks also to Ellen at the Garrick for organising my visit and memories of this evening will stay with me for years to come.