And Its Better Now Francis Rossi Brings Quiet Authority to the Tunes and Chat Tour in Milton Keynes
The live performance of And Its Better Now by Francis Rossi at Milton Keynes Stables on April seventh two thousand twenty three offers a clear and intimate portrait of an artist reflecting on his work with honesty and restraint. Taken from the Tunes and Chat Tour, the performance highlights Rossi in a setting that favors storytelling, musical clarity, and direct connection with the audience rather than spectacle.
Originally released in nineteen eighty five on the Status Quo album In the Army Now, And Its Better Now was written by Francis Rossi and Bernie Frost and marked a more melodic and reflective direction for the band during the mid nineteen eighties. While the studio version carried polished production typical of its era, the live rendition in Milton Keynes reveals the song in a stripped back and conversational form. This approach allows the lyric and melody to take center stage.
At Milton Keynes Stables, Rossi delivers the song with a calm confidence shaped by decades of experience. His vocal performance is measured and expressive, avoiding dramatic emphasis in favor of clarity and meaning. The guitar work is supportive rather than dominant, reinforcing the song’s structure without drawing attention away from the narrative. This balance reflects the overall tone of the Tunes and Chat Tour, which combines live performance with spoken reflections on Rossi’s career.
Andy Brook provides guitar and backing vocals, adding subtle harmonic depth without altering the song’s character. His contribution remains understated and respectful, allowing Rossi to remain the focal point while enhancing the overall sound. The musical interaction between the two is relaxed and natural, fitting the intimate venue and format of the tour.
Milton Keynes Stables is known for its close audience proximity and attentive atmosphere, and this setting plays a significant role in the effectiveness of the performance. The absence of large stage production places emphasis on delivery and connection, elements that Rossi handles with ease. The audience response suggests appreciation not only for the song itself, but for the manner in which it is presented.
This live version of And Its Better Now does not attempt to reinvent the song. Instead, it reframes it through maturity and reflection. The performance illustrates how material written decades earlier can gain new resonance when revisited with perspective and restraint.
As documented in the available video recording, the Milton Keynes performance stands as a valuable example of Francis Rossi’s continued commitment to his craft. It shows an artist comfortable with his legacy, willing to revisit familiar songs with honesty, and capable of finding renewed meaning in them many years later.