Tony Hadley

Tonight was going to be amazing I just knew it. To be able to see Spandau Ballet legend Tony Hadley do his thang at such an immense venue like Symphony Hall and to be backed by a full orchestra. What a treat!

No support tonight as the show was in two sets with an interval, thought this was only reserved for shows for old dears, such as Daniel O'Donnell, but I guess it was to give the orchestra a breather.



No frills back drop, just the orchestra that filled the stage to bursting point and the voice that made Spandau Ballet unique in the 80's.

The audience tonight were forty-somethings, nothing wrong with that as I fitted in just perfectly, instead of being then oldest swinger in town.

Symphony Hall is such an immense venue and the acoustics are vast especially for voices with the calibre of Hadley's, would it do him justice tonight?

The sets were split in two, the first set was just under an hour and showcased tunes from the forthcoming new album, with some of Hadley's favourite tunes from over the years thrown in the mix for good measure.

Opener of the show was 'A New York Minute' followed by a Bowie classic 'Life On Mars', the set was filled with a mix of new stuff and covers and epitomised the fact that Hadley still has it and his voice is still strong, even 30 years on from Spandau's peak.

We were treated to a Killers cover, which Hadley seemed to revel in and a little treat for Hadley's daughter, Zara, who was in the audience tonight, 'Time in a Bottle'.

Highlights of the first set had to be 'That's Life' and timeless classic 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters', which Hadley said he had preformed at Hyde Park in London with Elvis Presley's band and where he'd met Tom Jones and Priscilla Presley.

The first interval finished with rapturous applause and a breather for Hadley and the orchestra.



The second half was another plethora of hits, from Spandau this time, classics from a bygone age, (just laughing to myself especially after seeing XFactor at the weekend and the 16 year old lad referring to Spandau Ballet as Spandex who? – Kids eh??)

This is what everyone paid their £45 pounds for, the orchestra was astounding and really complemented Hadley's voice. Hit after hit after hit and so many too choose from to play on the night.

We were treated to just over an hour's set, it was absolutely colossal, highlights for me were 'Musclebound', obviously 'True' and my all time Spandau favourite 'Through the Barricades' it was mind tingly amazing and gave me goose pimples everywhere.

Tonight's show showed that Hadley still has an immense voice and a massive pair of .....lungs on him, I left feeling happy and wondering when the new album will be out so I can pin my lug holes back and give it a listen.

FUTURE GIGS