This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours

I'd been looking forward to the weekend since I had booked it in April. I had enjoyed the first Fandango at Butlins at Bognor Regis last Halloween and by the pre-published itinerary that had been sent out, I could see that we would be getting to see more of Tony as he would be taking part in the football and bowling.

Arrived at the gate of  Butlins with Tony's version of Gold from the 'Night of the Proms' CD blaring out from my car stereo, to be sent to the wrong place to check in for my gold self catering chalet.  Soon directed to the correct place and got my keys and ticket.  This was around 3 pm, so plenty of time to get unpacked, have something to eat and get ready for the first gig.

Our base for the weekend was to be 'Reds', thankfully a non-smoking venue.  Got to the venue just before 7 pm in time to hear John Glover (Tony's manager) explain the set up of the weekend.

Go West were the first band up, I had a feeling that this would be the case as Tony was first up last time.  I spent the time catching up with friends.  When Go West finished, I made my way to the standing area in front of the stage and got fairly close and in the middle.

Friday night was Spandau night with Duran's 'Rio' as a bonus.  Tony was rocking and really enjoying it.  Muscle Bound was next on the set list, Tony put a gold piece of cord round his head and explained that he was only singing it as it had been requested and he thought that he would never sing it again.  He had the lyrics in his folder but he didn't seem to be taking much notice of them as he kept humming and doing da da da during the verses and said lets get to the chorus.  It was a really funny and I think Tony had fun with it.  Through the Barricades followed it and then one song early Tony started talking about Duran only to be told that he was too early, so he sang Communication and then told the Duran story again.  The set ended on a high with Gold and everyone cheered Tony for a brilliant performance.

Saturday 1st October

The weather on Saturday morning was a bit on the changeable side, one minute it was raining the next it was sunny, not terribly good weather for a football match but we made our way to the all weather pitch which had inflatable sides and goals.  The Hadley United Team had Tony, John Keeble, Phil Taylor, Phil Williams and Richie B along with fans.  The Team Faithful included Richard Drummie, Dave Williams (Tony's Tour Manager), John Glover (Manager), Richard Brook, Deeral and as goalie Jay one of Tony's roadies.  Hadley United won 17-10  Well Done!

Tony's signing session was supposed to start at 3 pm, except that nobody seemed to have told Tony L and he arrived late, so not as many people got to meet him.  The Go West Face to Face session was happening at the same time.  It was then time to change over and Tony went on stage and sat on the rather small sofa provided and he was asked various questions which he did his best to answer.  As I have found his astrological chart and it is more accurate if you know someone's time of birth, I asked him when he was born.  He didn't know, quipping that he didn't have a watch on at the time, but the next thing I knew he was phoning his mum up.  At first he couldn't get through and said that his mum was probably at the hairdressers, but then he got through and said to her that he was at a question and answer session and several hundred people were listening and that he had been asked what time he was born.  His mum confirmed that it was 4.05 am.  I spoke to him afterwards saying that I hadn't expected him to phone his mum, but he said that after I had asked, he wanted to know. 

Tony was up first on Saturday night.  Not only was he not wearing his suit (although the suit jacket made an appearance) he was wearing jeans.  A great look and one he should do more often.  Saturday night had songs made famous by Bowie, Tom Petty, Don Henley, Queen, Blink 182 and Kaiser Chiefs along with My Friend - written by Tony and Phil Taylor (I had asked for songs written by Tony when the Fan Club asked on behalf of the management suggestions for the weekend and although I would have preferred another song, it was great that he included this song).  Tony's duet with Andrea on Suspicious Minds was great as usual and a whole lot of undies were thrown during Delilah.  I thought it was a great set and a good choice of songs.

After Tony's set I went to sit down and listen to Go West and chat to friends so when Tony came on stage dressed in the black wig, sunglasses, white shirt, jacket and leather trousers to introduce I Play Rock, I didn't recognise him immediately.  Their music is not really my cup of tea but I thought it was a good set.  On my way to the bar whilst they were on, I stopped to speak to a friend, I sort of noticed that the rest of Tony's band were standing around in this area and the next thing I knew Tony was standing next to me.  I abandoned the idea of getting a drink!  The stewards made him go outside and finish his cigar as we were in a non-smoking venue!  He soon came back to his original position and at the end of each song Tony was whistling really loudly to John.  It was great that he could go out into the audience and support his friend and he wasn't really hassled by fans.  I respected his wish to watch his friend and was happy just to stand there next to him.

Sunday 2nd October

Sunday morning and time for Bowling, Tony turned up wearing sweatshirt, baseball cap and jeans, later than Peter Cox - no surprises there then!  Peter is a much better bowler than Tony, think he had his own ball!  Tony seemed a bit uncoordinated when it came to bowling and dropped the ball a couple of times.  So it was no surprise that the bowling team lost.

Sunday afternoon - it was the Quiz - The rematch.  On Saturday evening I was asked if I would like to be on the quiz team.  I was really nervous about it and hoped I would be able to answer some of the questions.  I was to be on the Hadley Fan's team with Rhona, Maxine and Richard Drummie, Tony was on the Go West team with Chris, Val and Tricia.  They decided that it was going to be individual questions, which gained twice as many points than if we conferred.  We did quite well at the beginning and at the end of the first round were leading, but it was all downhill from there and we even gave Tony enough clues to get the name of studios that the Parade album was recorded at and then his team got a point.  So in the end Tony's team won and it meant that the Westies won the series.

Sunday night was the joint show.  The great thing was that the Horny Boys were there.  They had to re-arrange the stage a bit to make room for them.  Phil and Phil's Band - Faint Signs of Intelligence were up first, Phil T was dressed as an Edwardian Gentleman and Phil W was dressed as a hamster.  Richie B was on Guitar.  They sang two of their songs - Will you look after my hamster (whilst I go on holiday) and Babysitter Man.  They were assisted on vocals by Tony and Peter Cox (Tony had the lyrics in hand of course!).  After a short break and time for everyone to get changed into their normal stage clothes it was time for the main event of the evening.

The show started with both Tony and Go West on stage and the first song was Gimme All Your Loving, followed by U2's Beautiful Day.  It was then time for Tony to vacate the stage for Go West to do 3 songs.  Soon Tony was back and his next song was Hoobastank's The Reason, followed by Walking in Memphis.  Those Horny Boys are a hoot with their actions, I can't listen to that song without thinking of them.  Time for Pete and Richard to come back on stage for Boys of Summer, Taking it to the street and The Joker.  Tony took over again for Freefallin' and That's Life.  Richard came on for Martin Fry's part in Lets Stick Together, except that Richard had a guitar too.  Tony finished his slot with Gold and Pete came back on solo for two songs and Richard was back for two more.  It was then time for Tony to come back for the last four songs, including the encore, which Tony explained that they wouldn't be going off for, but for us to give them a cheer and then they would carry on with the final two songs.

It was a great end to a brilliant weekend.  I had a great time and it was excellent that we could see so much of Tony.  Hopefully they will arrange another one next year.

Itinerary 

Friday set list

Saturday set list

Sunday set list