Rod Stewart tribute at East Grinstead's Chequer Mead

If you have spent any time singing along to Rod Stewart over the years, there is a tribute show worth the short trip out of Brighton this autumn. The Rod Stewart Songbook lands at the Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead on Saturday 24 October, with the curtain going up at 7.30pm, and it is built around a voice that does the original some real justice.

The show is fronted by Pete McCall, who is widely regarded as Europe's leading Rod Stewart tribute artist, and he is backed by a full live band rather than a backing track. That distinction matters when you are tackling a catalogue this wide. The setlist leans on the crowd favourites most people know by heart: Sailing, Maggie May, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, Baby Jane, Hot Legs, Some Guys Have All The Luck, Rhythm Of My Heart, and You Wear It Well, among many more. It is framed as a musical journey spanning 50 years, covering the career of an artist who has sold more than 250 million records worldwide.

McCall's take on the role has earned some high praise from an unlikely source. Rod Stewart's own sister, Mary Cady, has caught the show and told him, "you were excellent", which is about as strong an endorsement a tribute act can get. Promoter and performer Terry Bell has been equally enthusiastic, describing it as the "full Rod Stewart experience" and promising a night of nostalgia packed with the greatest hits. Whether you are a lifelong fan or just fancy a night of familiar songs, that kind of tracklist is hard to argue with.

The venue is worth knowing before you set off. Chequer Mead is a purpose-built theatre at the east end of De La Warr Road in East Grinstead, postcode RH19 3BS, and it has been taking bookings since it opened in November 1996. It is the kind of room that does a tribute show well, and there is an in-house bar and coffee shop called The Apron if you want to arrive early and settle in before the music starts.

On price, it is an easy one to say yes to. Tickets are £27 and can be booked through chequermead.co.uk, so there is no need to leave it to the last minute. For a Saturday night in October, it is a low-stakes plan that gives you a full evening of music without breaking the bank.

So, if you are in the mood for a night of classic hits and do not mind the short journey over to East Grinstead, The Rod Stewart Songbook is a straightforward, well-regarded option. It is the sort of show that relies on a strong setlist and a voice that can carry it, and with McCall at the front and a full band behind him, it has both. Grab your tickets early, settle in at The Apron, and let the hits do the rest.