This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony Hadley at Capesthorne Hall
23rd July 2011
Tony had previously played at Capesthorne Hall, but on that occasion I didn't go. I don't like going to shows in the middle of nowhere when I don't have a car and the Manchester area is just too far for me to drive.
This time I decided to fly up to Manchester and then hire a car. This also made sense I had booked the gig in Scarborough the day after. Unfortunately the gig in Scarborough got postponed so that completely put a spanner in the works and cost me a fair bit of money having to change flights on the way back and have the hire car for less time than I had originally booked it for.
I decided to go up the night before as flights on the day to Manchester for me get there at stupid o'clock and you can't get into the hotel room until after lunch. This was a good plan as Wendy and I went into Manchester for a nice meal out and shopping the following morning. After lunch I picked up the hire car, this took longer than expected due to the trainee at the rental station and her not finding my details on the computer. A little later than planned we picked Tina and Amanda up and drove out to Capesthorne Hall.
Due to our delay at the car hire place, we didn't get on the front row and had to settle for second row, but this was fine and we had a good view of the middle of the stage.
First up were The Fortunate, a young band who met at Basingstoke college. They are managed by Blueprint and this was the biggest gig they had ever done. The girl lead singer has a great voice and they did a set of their own songs plus ‘With or Without you'. This was the second time that I have seen them, as I saw them previously when they were the first act on at the ‘Songs for Japan ' charity show in April. I think they will go far.
Next up were Go West, they did their usual set including ‘Sex on Fire'. They had Richie on guitar for them.
Then Martin Fry was up next they did a set that included some unfamiliar songs to people, I think this was a mistake.
A quick change around of the stage and it was time for Tony and Rick Astley's part of the show. Tony started with ‘Life on Mars' and continued with Rick for ‘Boys of Summer'. It was at this point that at tray of drinks came on and Tony announced that they were going to do their backstage ritual on stage. Richie did a little speech and they downed the drinks in one.
Tony and John went off stage and Rick continued with his set, with Phil, Phil, Richie, Dawn and Lily backing plus Richard Brook on drums.
When Rick's set was over, Tony and John were back and continued with a great set. Rick rejoined Tony for ‘Boys of Summer'.
The show finished with ‘Gold' and ‘I Predict a Riot' and a firework display. It was a good evening.
Denise