This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony Hadley 'By Request' - Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 1st May 2006 by Naomi
This was my second gig of the tour and for me it couldn't come quick enough , it seems a long time since we were all there at the Robin 2. Myself and my friend Emma got there at about 5.00 planning to eat in the nearby Bistro, craftily knowing that Tony and the band normally go to the nearest pub for a pre gig drink, but the Bistro was not serving food so tummies rumbling we headed for the nearest Pizza Express (only to find out later that we were right and Tony had gone into the Bistro.....just our luck). We headed back to the Theatre and took our middle of the front row tickets (you wouldn't believe how many phone calls I made to the Box Office to get these) and unlike the Robin 2 only had a short time to wait until that unmistakable smell of Joop came sweeping onto the stage. I have to say I was really impressed with the set up it was the first time I had seen the bar, fire and chairs. Luckily even though the Theatre had said no flash photography no one seemed to stop us.
The set list for the first half was similar to that of the Robin but with a couple of changes. Although we had the added bonus of Tony knocking over the mike stand halfway through Carol which he thought was highly amusing and took a while to compose himself, but he got there in the end making sure he had a very tight grip for the rest of the night.
2nd half set was soon here and Tony seemed well pleased with the choices made. Tony picked out my friends request Somebody to Love which was great for her and equalled the scores as I had mine picked out at the first gig.
Second half set list was:
| Who are you? | True |
| Lifeline | Somebody to Love |
| All the Young Dudes | Rio |
| I'll Fly | I Predict a Riot |
| Dance with Me | Encore: |
| Always on My Mind | Somebody Told Me |
| Barricades | Gold |
It was quite amusing as soon as Lifeline started, everybody started to get up to dance much to the annoyance of a certain mother and daughter who complained bitterly that they had front row seats and how dare people from the back get in front of them, it nearly came to blows.
All to soon the show was over and I had convinced Emma to wait at the Stage Door with me, we had about an hours wait and had a good chat to Phil Taylor while we were waiting, then finally at about 11.15 out came Tony who chatted for a little while, I got my photo with him and yet another autograph and we even managed to get a photo of Emma with Phil W. Only 16 more days to Skeggy........and counting!!