Classic Albums Live: The Beatles’ White Album – Live Review – Bradford Live
By Graham Clark, September 2025
The idea behind the Classic Albums Live experience is to perform an album in its entirety, note for note, cut by cut, by a set of musicians who arrive on stage all dressed in black – no fancy gimmicks, stage costumes or wigs – not even any interaction with the audience, as the band do not address the crowd between songs. If that sounds slightly dull, the reality is entertaining and enthralling, as witnessed when Classic Albums Live arrived at Bradford Live.
The newly reopened, £50 million renovation has already taken over £1 million in ticket sales, with forthcoming concerts from Kaiser Chiefs and a triple bill of New Model Army, Paradise Lost and Terrorvision helping to swell the figure. Hopefully, the 3,600-capacity venue will become a regular fixture on touring schedules for top acts and put Bradford back on the map as far as big bands are concerned.
The Beatles’ White Album, often regarded as their best, is not as accessible as some of their others: from the pop of ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ to the heavy rock of ‘Helter Skelter’ and the abstract ‘Revolution 9’, the album’s diversity was performed perfectly by the accomplished musicians on the Bradford Live stage. Interestingly, The Beatles appeared at the venue three times during the early 1960s when it was known as the Bradford Gaumont, the latter time on John Lennon’s 24th birthday.
“Joy and respect”
With a little imagination, it was easy to sense what the venue would have been like when full of screaming teenagers as the Fab Four took to the stage. Sixty years on, tonight’s audience is a more mature one – a few of whom were here back in 1964.
Close your eyes and you could have been listening to the original album, though some of the vocals, at times, rightly didn’t try to imitate too closely those of Paul McCartney or John Lennon. Admirably, no one could argue with the authenticity of the birdsong on ‘Blackbird’ or the trademark grunt on ‘Piggies’. With the venue far from sold out, it raised the question of who exactly the show is aimed at – fans of the original album, certainly, but perhaps not enough to entice the casual listener to leave home. The joy and respect emanating from the stage in performing the White Album was impressive, with the experience faithful in every respect.
At the end of the night, the band performed a few surprise tracks, including ‘Twist and Shout’ (a song The Beatles performed here all those years ago), and the audience rose to their feet on a night high on quality and content. Apparently, the next album to be performed is Led Zeppelin II. Given tonight’s authentic concert, it certainly promises to deliver a ‘Whole Lotta Love’.
Graham was born and raised in Keighley. A dedicated live music enthusiast, he has attended hundreds of concerts across the North and feels fortunate to have Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester within easy reach — all key stops on major touring circuits. He has also supported Bradford Live, the upcoming 4,000-capacity venue opening in autumn 2025, helping to secure backing from some of the biggest names in live entertainment. Passionate about food, Graham draws on his background in hospitality to offer honest, experience-led insights in his reviews. He’s also a keen traveller, having explored extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.
