The Boo Radleys at the Cavern Club

The Boo Radleys were formed in Wallasey, a town across the water (the Mersey river) from Liverpool, in 1988. They had one big hit, Wake Up Boo!, which reached number 9 in the UK. They have gained and lost members since then, but reformed in 2021 to release an album.

Their album, Keep On With Falling, released March 2022, is definitely not the best album they have ever done - but their cover of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass is worth a mention. It is absolutely gorgeous - not as good as the original, of course, but when they performed it to a crowd at the Cavern it got the right reception.

The band tries too hard to be what it is not; successful. This, unfortunately, ruined their performance at the Cavern Club despite those in attendance having only been allowed to if they bought a copy of the record.

The Boo Radleys promised that they did not know about this arrangement, and insisted that it was their representation who had arranged it.

But it seems like it would benefit them; surely people would buy a copy of their album if they got in to a show?

Of course, I have seen many shows at the Cavern Club. I get to watch a tribute Beatles show twice most weeks, and I have also been to a few others including a Bruce Springsteen tribute and a Queen tribute... but never have I seen a crowd so disengaged with whoever is playing.

In fact, the only song the audience seemed to react to was the band's no. 9 hit Wake Up Boo!, as mentioned previously.

Whether this was the wrong audience for the band, or The Boo Radleys have simply lost their touch is not clear. All that is known is that the vibes were not there, and that is a shame.