Ricky Warwick Manchester HMV 14th March 2025 – Album Release Day!
17th March 2025
Ricky Warwick is best known for his time as the frontman of Black Star Riders, as well as performing with several other well-known bands, including New Model Army and Thin Lizzy.
His new solo album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Lita Ford, Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Billy Duffy (The Cult), Tuk Smith, and Ben Christo. The album was co-produced by Ricky’s friend and creative partner, Keith Nelson (Buckcherry). The cover was designed by Ricky’s stepdaughter, Zoe Hinton.
We headed to Manchester HMV in the Manchester Arndale to catch his acoustic set. Today was all about Ricky Warwick showcasing his new solo album.
HMV hosted a small, intimate crowd. People were buzzing with excitement, and the air hummed with anticipation. However, there was a slight delay—the event had originally been scheduled for 1 PM, but it was pushed back to 2 PM, leaving fans eagerly waiting.
When Ricky finally arrived on stage with his guitar in hand—just him, his instrument, and a microphone—I knew I was about to witness something special.
As he began to play, his voice was clear and resonant. The simplicity of the acoustic arrangement allowed his lyrics to flow effortlessly, resulting in a truly mesmerizing performance.
He opened the set with Angels of Desolation, a hard-hitting, “balls-to-the-wall” song with deeply cutting lyrics. Between songs, Ricky shared personal stories, including his battle with drinking, how he overcame it, and how sobriety has made him more productive creatively and healthier overall. He reassured the audience that there’s no shame in choosing not to drink..
Next up, he performed The Crickets That Stayed in Clovis and Don’t Leave Me in the Dark. Before the latter, Ricky shared how his management had recently signed Lita Ford, and when he was looking for a female vocalist for the track, he was overwhelmed when Lita agreed to collaborate. He also revealed that Lita brought along her iconic Hamer guitar, which dates back to her days in The Runaways, to record the track.Ricky explained that Don’t Leave Me in the Dark was the first song he wrote for the album. He described how it delves into relationships, the struggles people face within them, and the toll these challenges can take on mental health.
Photo courtesy of The Snap Happy Pixie for All About The Rock
He continued to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster with Crocodile Tears and Blood Ties, two more fantastic songs that had the crowd singing along in unison.
It was a great set, great company, and an all-around incredible day.
“Ricky’s music is like a poetic quote I heard recently: ‘Music speaks what cannot be expressed; it soothes the mind and gives it rest. It heals the heart and makes it whole, like a flowing river that soothes the soul.’”
