This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony Hadley at Lingfield Racecourse - 9th June 2007
This was the first summer festival of 2007 and when I saw it was at a racecourse, I was a bit worried. It was quite early in the year and the previous two shows at racecourses - Haydock Park in 2005 and Carlisle in 2006 were complete washouts. So the weather forecast became one of my favourite websites to visit. My last look before we left gave me a 25% risk of rain, I just hoped that if there was rain then it wouldn't be during the gig. We set off for the 50 mile drive amongst changeable weather. We arrived at the car park with it raining, but it soon stopped and we made our way into the racecourse and found that the stage had been built at the far end of the stand on a tarmacked area. There would be six horse races before Tony came on stage. I wasn't quite sure how to bet, but had been given a few names of horses. I asked the hubby of another fan and he explained what to do. By this time I had missed the first race and the one I should have bet on had won. My friend and I decided to put £2 each way on the horses and ended up spending £32 between us. This was good because we won £38. We weren't there for the races, but to have won more than we bet was a good result. We knew the gig wasn't big band because we had seen JK, Phil T, Phil W and Richie up on the balcony of one of the boxes in the grandstand and seen the stage set up.
We made our way to the front of the stage just as the last race came on. I had to leave to go and get my winnings though, but came back to my place saved for me by my friend. We were second row of people, but a good view of Tony, especially as the people in front ot me were shorter than me.
Tony bounded on stage on time and to one of my favourite songs 'Somebody Told Me'. It was so nice to see JK, Phil, Phil, Richie and Andrea. I'd seen Phil T on the Big Band tour, but I'd last seen the rest of the boys at Clumber Park in August 2006 and Andrea in Croydon in December 2005. I'm sure they have done some corporate gigs together since then, but it was like they had been playing together without a break. We'd been able to sneak a peak at the set list and was looking forward to the gig. It was an excellent gig and I didn't want it to end. Near the end a group of blokes decided it would be a good idea to spray the audience with beer (I thought it was starting to rain) and the stewards were a bit heavy handed trying to get to them through the crowd and nearly knocked my friend flying. The blokes were soon dealt with and the show ended with 'I Predict a Riot'. I'd really enjoyed it.
We decided to wait afterwards to speak to Tony and found that the band were in a chalet type building having a few beers. We could hear them laughing and joking through an open window (although not what they were saying). Tony came out to speak to us and have his photo taken with a couple of fans who had brought their 7 year old daughters to see Tony for the first time. We talked to him for a little while and then it was time to go home as we had an early start for the Ladies Lunch the next day. Our car was about one of about four cars left in the car park, but least we didn't have to queue to leave! All in all a great day.
Denise 13/6/07