EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: ‘Rev’ Jon McClure sings for 2,000 fans outside Sheffield O2 Academy

Prayers were answered for Reverend and the Makers fans after the first of two sold out nights at Sheffield’s O2 Academy when the ‘Rev’ Jon McClure had a sing-a-long OUTSIDE with 2,000 followers.
Reverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn AshleyReverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn Ashley
Reverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn Ashley

In amazing scenes, which will go down in Sheffield music folklore, his huge congregation included those who couldn’t get tickets for the gig inside.

Many of them though were those who simply couldn’t get enough of Sheffield’s indie stars after a remarkable two hours show, which saw the band play their first two albums, The State Of Things and French Kiss In The Chaos.

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Tonight (Sat, Oct 25) Jon and his brethren - pregnant keyboard and trumpet playing missus Laura, guitarist Ed Cosens, who is also to become a dad, bassist Joe Carnall and drummer Ryan Jenkins - return to perform album three and four, @Reverend_Makers and Thirty Two.

Reverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn AshleyReverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn Ashley
Reverend & The Makers star Jon McClure entertaining 2,000 fans for free after first of two sold out nights at Sheffield O2 Academy. Photos: Glenn Ashley

But first Jon had unfinished business outside and played one of the biggest ever impromptu outdoor sing-a-longs Sheffield has ever seen.

Armed with only his guitar and re-fuelled, after making fans wait for a cig break and a bit of banter, he led the gathering with an chorus of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire” before an acoustic version of A Message to You, Rudy, the 1967 rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone, made famous by The Specials.

And he still wasn’t done. Before disappearing through the crowd back into the sanctuary of the O2 Academy he invited everyone to the after show party to se him DJ at the Plug.

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VIDEO: Press the play button to watch the amazing scenes as Jon entertained fans outside Sheffield’s O2 Academy. Warning: Parental Guidance, includes one expletive.

Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 AcademyReverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy
Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy

Structural engineers really should give the O2 Academy the once over today ahed of that second gig celebrating the band’s 10-years of hits.

The Rev Army didn’t need asking twice when Jon ordered them to bounce and the building began to shake from the opening bars of the show.

Instead of playing the albums in order, the band came out, following a retro film show of old music videos and photos, to Silence is Talking, first track on album two, French Kiss In The Chaos.

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The hit single, with it’s trumpet section and so-familiar sample from War’s Low Rider, got the crowd jumping enthusiastically as the album - the band’s favourite - proved to be a gift that kept giving, with other highlights including No Soap In A Dirty War and Jon playing out the final tracks on his guitar, in a dazzling light display.

Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 AcademyReverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy
Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy

Then, as the sermon turned into an indie rock masterclass, fan’s were treated to possibly their own favourite album, The State Of Things - highlights including the title track, Miss Brown, He Said He Loved Me, Sex With The Ex, Open Your Window and pal Alex Turner’s The Machine.

Oh, and let’s not forget the anticipated showstopper, a knockout version of Heavyweight Champion Of The World. Fans tried to drown out The Rev, but he won on points.

The city’s own indie champions did Sheffield proud and will be back for more, with the likes of Bassline, Out Of The Shadows, Shine The Light, The Wrestler, Nosiy Neighbour, I Spy, The Devil’s Radio, Different Trains, Play Me And Your Girl.

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It’s sold out. You could try for returns. Or pray some more for another free acoustic song or two straight after the show.

Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 AcademyReverend & The Makers entertaining fans  at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy
Reverend & The Makers entertaining fans at the first of two sold out shows at Sheffield O2 Academy

* Both nights are being recorded for two live albums, price £15 each, available at www.concertlive.co.uk for dispatch next Friday, October 31.

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