Introduction
On June 29 2024, fans gathered in the fairytale village of Portmeirion to celebrate guitarist Andy Scott’s 75th birthday with two special Sweet concerts. Among the standout moments was a rollicking rendition of “The Sixteens,” a deeper‑cut gem from their classic 1974 era. This post explores the magic of that night, the song’s origins, and why it still resonates—delivered in a friendly, insider‑to‑insider tone.
Portmeirion is a whimsical, Italian‑style village on the River Dwyryd estuary in North Wales, designed by Sir Clough Williams‑Ellis between 1925–1975 and famed as the setting for the 1960s TV series The Prisoner. On June 29 and 30, 2024, this picture‑perfect backdrop hosted Andy Scott’s 75th‑birthday gigs, drawing Sweet devotees from across Europe for music, laughter, and shared memories.
Sweet—originally “The Sweetshop”—rose from London’s early‑’70s bubblegum pop scene to become glam‑rock titans, selling over 35 million albums worldwide. Their breakthrough came with hits like “Block Buster!” and “The Ballroom Blitz,” but by mid‑1974 they were pushing into harder rock territory on albums such as Sweet Fanny Adams and Desolation Boulevard. Guitarist Andy Scott, the sole surviving member of the classic lineup, has carried the torch ever since.
“The Sixteens” debuted as the opening track on the UK version of Desolation Boulevard (November 1974), written by hit‑makers Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. Unlike their chart‑toppers, it’s a driving rocker about youthful rebellion—four minutes of chugging riffs, sneering vocals, and a chorus that sticks in your head. Though never a single, it became a fan favorite on the live circuit.
In the live video, Scott’s sinewy solos cut through the warm evening air as the village’s pastel façades caught the stage lights. The rhythm section locked in tightly, pushing the song’s momentum until the crowd roared with every chorus. You could sense decades of history in every note—this wasn’t nostalgia, but proof that great songs grow richer with age.
Hearing “The Sixteens” in that enchanted setting reminds us why we fell for Sweet in the first place: their knack for blending melody and muscle, for turning youthful defiance into communal joy. It’s a reminder that music—and friendship—only deepen over time.