Twin-Guitar Majesty: Wishbone Ash Live in Verviers (B) – 11.03.25

After their successful Live Dates tour in 2024, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the album with  the same name, Wishbone Ash continues their musical journey with the Wishlist Tour in 2025. What makes this tour special is that fans themselves contributed to the setlist. Through a social media poll, they could vote for the songs they wanted to hear live, resulting in a mix of classic hits, rare gems and more recent tracks.

Founded in 1969 in London’s vibrant rock scene, Wishbone Ash has left an indelible mark on guitar rock with their signature twin-guitar sound. Over the years, the band has experimented with styles such as folk, blues, jazz, prog and pure hard rock, without losing their unique identity. The current lineup, featuring founding member Andy Powell on his iconic Flying V and Mark Abrahams on the Gibson Les Paul, continues that legacy. Bassist Bob Skeat, who has been with the band for 25 years and drummer Joe Crabtree form a solid rhythm section.

The concert took place at the legendary Spirit of 66 music club in Verviers which was packed to the rafters. For Wishbone Ash it felt like coming home, as this marked their 25th performance at this venue.

The evening kicked off with Real Guitars Have Wings. Outward Bound and In All My Dreams (You Rescue Me) further built up the atmosphere.

The impact of classics like The King Will Come and Throw Down the Sword was undeniable, while tracks like In the Skin and In Crisis highlighted the band’s evolution. The instrumental powersong  F.U.B.B., featuring masterful duelling guitars, proved once again why Wishbone Ash is a pioneer in their genre.

The show reached another  peak with Jail Bait and Standing in the Rain, where the energy in the venue became almost tangible. By the time Blowin’ Free kicked in, there was no holding back.

For the encores, the band returned with a thunderous rendition of Living Proof, followed by The Way of the World—a fitting closer that perfectly encapsulated the essence of Wishbone Ash: technical finesse, melodic richness and a strong connection with their audience. Unfortunately, I had to leave during the encores to catch my last train.

With this show Wishbone Ash once again proved why they remain relevant after more than five decades. Their ability to embrace both nostalgia and innovation makes every performance special. For fans of timeless rock and virtuosic guitar work  a live concert by this band remains an unmissable experience.

Notably, the sound at the front rows was sometimes too loud and Andy Powell’s vocals didn’t always come through clearly. Yet, it remains impressive how the now 75-year-old Powell continues to perform tirelessly. Six years ago, when I did a photo report of their show in Verviers (https://theprogspace.com/wishbone-ash-in-verviers-belgium-january-10-2019), I thought it might be my last Wishbone Ash concert, considering Powell’s age. But the band remains indestructible.