Gig Review : Steve Steinman’s ‘Like A Bat Out Of hell: Anything for Love – The Meatloaf Story’

Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM

It’s a beautiful crisp afternoon as we leave stroke city to make our way to the big smoke aka Belfast, for tonight’s entertainment.

Being big fans of theatrical shows my Mum and myself are very excited to see Steve Steinman’s ‘Like A Bat Out Of hell: Anything for Love – The Meatloaf Story’. As we dander around the Odyssey waiting for the doors to open at 7pm, Meatloaf’s hits are being played throughout the complex and everyone is singing along as they enjoy a bite at the local restaurants and eateries before the show. When ‘Bat out of Hell’ comes on the radio in the Coffee Shop, I overhear the Barista comment to her colleague – “that’s my favourite tune of his”.

Meatloaf was a powerhouse of a man and multi-talented to boot, a singer, actor and a very humorous guy. I grew up listening to my Mum playing Meatloaf and ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ remains a regular album on her playlist so it’s a special evening for us both tonight. Meatloaf also played a maniacal biker, Eddie in Rocky Horror Picture Show so it’s only fitting that the charismatic Steve Steinman would create a Musical becoming of the icon that was Meatloaf.

On the 17^th July 1994 a hotel/restaurant owner called Steve Murray appeared on a well-loved TV show called Stars in their Eyes to perform ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ by the legendary Meatloaf. Steve started off singing in his bar but never expected his career to take such a dramatic and fantastic turn. Steve has since changed his performing name to Steve Steinman in honour of the illustrious Jim Steinman who penned albums for the likes of Bonnie Tyler and of course Meatloaf. In Fact Jim Steinman wrote ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ and wrote and produced ‘Bat Out Of Hell II: Back Into The Night’. Tonight’s concert is one of those shows that you already have a palpable anticipation and sense that we are about to encounter something gothically magical.

As we eagerly take our fantastic seats we observe a dark and red filled stage with a large black Bat sculpture with its black wings outstretched, perfectly placed in front of the drum kit. The Bat featured on the album cover is tonight’s back drop. There is a beautiful grand piano with red flames on the lid as if it had been procured from Hell itself. We enthusiastically flick though the shows beautiful and glossy brochure in preparation.

Tonight’s concert contains two acts, ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ will be played in its entirety across the two sets with a few other surprises thrown in for good measure. Act 1 commences with ‘I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)’ as the infamous piano intro, played passionately by Brendan Dowse, begins the crowd erupts with a rapturous cheers and applause, The band, backing singers and the main man Steve Steinman take to the stage as the guitarists Jamie Hiscox and Dan Stevens play the instantly recognisable riffs. Steve’s powerful vocals echo through the SSE.  Steve engages the audience and encourages us to sing along prompting us to sing louder which we do with glee. The immensely talented and gorgeous Tanyth Roberts, stuns us with her commanding vocals. The backing singers Charlotte MacLachlan, Victoria Farley, and Katie Sparkhall are eye catching as they sing and dance with such fervour. A night of wonderful theatrical and musical fun lies ahead and Belfast can’t wait.

Next up the emotive ‘Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through’ featuring the enthralling Johnny Wolfenden on Sax, and then a crowd favourite ‘Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad’. The SSE is in full swing as we are engulfed in this creative and reminiscent production. Couples sway in their seats arms around one another as we get caught up singing along with Steve and his talented crew. ‘Dead Ringer For Love’ ramps up the tempo again as we return to rocking along with the backing singers dancing alongside a jukebox. I have to give a special mention to John Evans (Vocals) who was mesmerising to watch, he sings and dances evidencing that he is living his best life, a truly impelling sight to behold. Steve and Tanyth are breath-taking to watch as their on stage chemistry has us believe we are watching Meatloaf and Cher themselves. The costume changes (including Tanyth’s Cher like wig) and props are whimsical and very apt.

Steinman is alluring and involves the audience with quips and stories bringing us all along on this epic journey.  ‘Holding Out For A Hero’, delivered ardently by Tanyth and the girls who held their own on this track with the soaring accompaniment of the band.  There is a return to the slower more melancholy of the Meatloaf repertoire with ‘For Crying Out Loud’ and ‘Pray Lewd’ (Jim Steinman’s Pandora’s Box) with a Piano Solo vehemently played by Dowse which then exquisitely leads us into ‘All Coming Back To Me Now’ – Steinman jokes how they will be playing the Meatloaf version not Celine Dion’s.

Steinman takes a moment to explain how he was approached by legendary songwriter John Parr, who kindly gifted him a track entitled ‘Everything They Said Was True’. Steinman went on to record and release the track which went to number 1 in both the Amazon and ITunes chart in 2022. Listening to and watching Steinman perform the poignant track, accompanied by the official video on the large screens gave us further insight into how truly talented a singer and performer this man is. And with three Number 1 Albums under his belt and numerous successful Musicals, Steinman has more than proven his worth as an Artist.

Act 2 begins with the anthemic ‘Seize the Night’ with the thundering drums of Joe Lazarus and thumping basslines of Joe Brierley echoing through the arena. The seductive tones of Wolfenden’s Sax leads us into ‘Good Girls Go to Heaven (Bad Girls Go Everywhere)’. This was a theatrical delight with the talented Tanyth and the girls showcasing their astounding vocal ability and seductive yet fun choreography which perfectly executed the dynamic of the song – the ladies in the audience were unified with the performers!!

A leather armchair and tall lamp were brought to the front of the stage and Steinman takes his position in the chair. Ever the joker the showman comments on how no expense is spared on the props and tells us how they would be performing the Meatloaf version not Barbara Streisand’s. With the opening accompaniment of Dowse on the piano, we are treated to a highly emotive rendition of ‘Left in the Dark’. Steinman delivers an expressive and potent recital.

This gives the rest of the band ample time to return to the stage with yet another eye catching change of costume and sees the lads wearing Meatloaf designed varsity jackets and the ladies wearing Cheerleader outfits, with a rocktastic car bonnet with a ‘MEATY’ licence plate. Steinman briefly disappears off stage reappearing with a Belfast Giants jacket and the crowd roar with approval. ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’ is a rockabilly dance along which has ladies dancing in their seats and men raising their arms and fists in the air.

The band explode into ‘All Revved Up With No Place To Go’, followed by ‘You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth’ the acting during and in between songs and choreography are exceptional. We are swept up in a musical extravaganza of epic proportions. Men are singing at the tops of their voices, a woman dances out into the aisle and eagerly makes her way towards the stage, until a diligent security man intervenes, she returns to dancing in the aisle and loving the moment – Steinman acknowledges her enthusiastic attempt with a smile. Steinman encourages us to take out our phones and use our torches which creates a beautiful ambiance for ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ and this made my Mums night as she and the audience sang along with such sentimentality, followed by the equally poignant ‘Heaven Can Wait’.

Steinman proudly introduces his team, which from tonight’s performance I would believe are more like family.  The show concludes with ‘Bat Out of Hell’, at Steve’s invitation everyone takes to their feet across the Odyssey and we clap and sing along with Steinman and his band. The pyrotechnics are breath-taking and the atmosphere is electric. What a fabulous end to Act II!!. Steve has clearly always had a wicked since of humour which is evident from his Stars in their eyes’ performance, he is a charming, personable and a consummate professional. What an evening, Steve Steinman’s ‘Like A Bat Out Of hell: Anything for Love – The Meatloaf Story’ is not just a show it is an experience. Steve Steinman has lots of massive projects lined up including taking The Meatloaf Story on a cruise and a Rock Musical which he assures us will be coming to Belfast in 2027. Do not miss out on an opportunity to see Steve Steinman and his talented team as they tour in a city near you.

Photography by Darren Mcveigh for MPM