This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony Hadley vs Martin Fry ABC: - Birmingham -
17th April 2005
The tour is drawing to a close and has just got better and
better. I didn't think that the Royal Albert Hall could be surpassed, but
for me, this one did. Decided to take my hubby along to this one and have
a weekend away in Birmingham, bought the tickets online and was given row 7 by
the aisle, people who booked by phone got seats much closer to the front, but
I'm not sure my hubby would have liked to have been any nearer anyway.
The first half started in the usual way with 'Up Up and Away' and continued with the duets and solo songs from both Tony and Martin. The first hour of the show goes so quickly that I can't believe that it is time for 'Walk Away Rene' and then time for the break. Only a one show day so a full set at Birmingham playing to the packed crowd. The acoustics at the Symphony Hall are very good too.
The second half started with the new duet of 'She's Gone' and they have got this one just right now. Martin sang the John Lennon song 'Love' and then Tony followed this with 'Time in a Bottle'. By this time I had managed to get to the front and stand by the stage (leaving my hubby in our seats - sorry hubby!). A surprise was that Tony sang 'Free Fallin', it sounded superb with the brass section. 'Walking in Memphis' was as funny as ever with the actions done by the band and Tony's little mid song homage to Jack Daniels. He also got the audience to put their hands in the air and say 'halleluiah'.
It was an excellent concert and during the second half virtually all the audience were standing and having a great time. Yet again it was all over too soon and time to head to the stage door. This time indoors, so it was a bit surprising that when Tony came out that he was wearing a scarf, maybe nobody had told him that scarves were not required. He took time to speak to everyone and sign autographs and pose for photos. Martin Fry didn't appear this time.