This is one powerful soul act and they are playing a rare show in London! The ensemble have always specialised in danceable recordings BUT have never hesitated to venture into social issues of all kinds. I give you the atmospheric slave era themed Ship Ahoy…play that loud and you’ll be looking for a handrail to lean over (truly)..the nailing of greed in the hypnotic bass-driven For The Love Of Money, equalling the Norman Whitfield-era Temptation gems like Ball Of Confusion and Cloud 9…the prescient BackStabbers, as relevant now in the age of Internet trolls as in the days of non-electronic bitchery. Add to this the blissed-out but propulsive Love Train and you have one very versatile and entertaining ensemble… ​

The O’Jays return to the UK with a headline show at the prestigious Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, United Kingdom on Sunday 15th July 2018.

Like a host of other R&B groups to have originally found success around the middle of the twentieth century – the likes of The Four Tops, The Ink Spots and The Temptations all spring to mind – The O’Jays are now a bona fide R&B institution and continue to perform today, and unlike some of those aforementioned contemporaries, two of the original members – Eddie Levert and Walter Williams – remain with the group today. That kind of longevity is impressive in itself – it means that they’ve been going for longer than The Rolling Stones. But it’s the energy and vigour that the trio – currently completed by Eric Grant – continue to pour into their frequent tours that’s really striking.

With hits like Love Train, Back Stabbers, I Love Music, Use To Be My Girl and Livin’ for the Weekend having made a genuine impact worldwide in their seventies heyday, it’s little wonder that The O’Jays can count themselves amongst the revered inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the recipients of a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

The O’Jays are touring history, a connection to an era and a sound that formed the soundtrack for the lives of several generations. The O’Jays are still hitting the road with the same electrifying energy they’ve had for over 50 years.

“I remember when I was a child growing up and being given a cassette filled with music which included Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Lies’ and The O’Jay’s ‘Backstabbers’. From that moment on I was hooked and I have listened to tracks like ‘For The Love Of Money’ and ‘Love Train’ for many years. A night packed with hits is expected at the beautiful surroundings of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for sure!” – Glenn Sargeant Just Listen To This

Pete Sargeant