This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Back to the 80's - Braehead Arena, Glasgow
31st May 2008 by Karen
One evening in March when looking at the few Tony gigs that had been announced and chatting to Denise I decided to accompany her to see Tony at the 80‘s gig in Braehead Arena in Glasgow. We had both managed to get flights on the Friday evening and returning on the Sunday night.
On Saturday morning we decided to check the venue out, we found the running order and Tony was top of the bill. He was scheduled to come on at 10.40 so as we were not bothered by the first couple of bands decided to get ready and then arrive to party at 5.
When we arrived we headed straight down to the arena where Katrina (from Katrina and the Waves) was performing, we managed to get a seat and watched her set followed by Howard Jones. In between each act they had 80’s music playing a cunning plan so that if an act overran it did not affect anyone else. We planned our strategy of how to get as close as possible to the front, we both felt we would be VERY lucky to get right at the front but a few rows back would be fine. We went to get something to eat and enjoy some sunshine before heading back to the music.
At 7.45 we decided to start our epic journey of getting to the front, we had given up any idea of getting in the middle and agreed that the side would be the best option. We casually walked into the arena and proceeded to the front and imagine our surprise when we actually managed to get right to the front by the rail. We listened to Limahl who sang one of Duran Duran’s songs Rio, after Limahl came Heaven 17.
Before Tony came on we all sang Happy Birthday to him. Finally Tony came on stage and we knew from chatting to Phil Taylor at Nottingham that neither him, Phil W or Richie was going to be there. Tony started his set with Somebody Told Me, which was then followed by Highly Strung, Only When You Leave and Lifeline. He chatted with the audience and when he came over to our side he spotted us and waved. He carried on with Memphis, With or Without You, True, Barricades then Somebody to Love. Tony then commented that the next song had already been performed that night and I turned to Denise and we both said RIO he did wonder whether to sing it and decided he would and in case you are wondering yes it was a better version. He then did Suspicious Minds and all too soon it was time for the final song, of course we knew, as he had not yet sung it that it was Gold. During this he came over to our part of the stage and caught our eye again with a cheeky grin he returned to the centre of the stage. Tony then said he was not going to bother going off stage and coming back on as its wastes time so it was straight on to the encore. Chris had come on stage with Tony’s guitar so we knew it would be Let’s Stick Together however it was decided that there was no time for two more songs so that one was not sung and the show ended with I Predict a Riot. It was a great Rock and Roll show and it was a shame Richie and the Phil’s missed it. Before we left we managed to get Chris’s attention and he smiled, as he knew we wanted the set lists and found then for us.
Once back at the hotel we settled at the bar and chatted about the fantastic time we had, Chris and the other roadies came in as there were also staying there and said hi.
After a few hours sleep we went down for breakfast still on a high and as we finished Chris came in for his so we had a quick chat before going to pack. We stayed in Glasgow for the day before heading to the airport and our flights home.
We really enjoyed the whole show and especially Tony who was on top form and even though we did not get to chat to him (which we had gathered before we went) we had a fantastic time. It was a real 80’s rock event and it was definitely worth the travel up from Southampton to Glasgow. I am now looking forward to the future gigs and hopefully Richie and both Phil’s will be there as well.
Keep Rocking Tony.
Karen Payne