This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony Hadley vs Martin Fry and ABC - Liverpool
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25th February 2005
by Kev
This is my first effort at a review so please be kind! J
This was my first of what will be 3 visits to see Tony and Martin this year and it could not of got off to a better start, the gig was fantastic from start to finish and maybe (definitely!) I'm biased but Tony was in this reviewer's opinion the star of the show.
I managed to convince a friend who has a passing interest in 80's music to accompany me to the Gig as unfortunately my better half is not a Tony fan L.
I'm based in Liverpool so didn't have far to go. The Philharmonic hall is a glorious old theatre,
that Suits Tony and Martin down to the ground. It also has the boxes at the side of the stage that Denise mentioned in the Wolverhampton review.
Just before we got to our 7th row seats I had the only disappointment of the night when the friendly man selling the merchandise told me that they were all sold out of the tour DVD, but I suppose this is good news in a way. I was assured that they will be back in stock for my next Gig, the Southport show in April (I'm assuming Townsend have not run out).
I considered buying a "Hadley" hooded top, but thought at £30 this was a bit steep.
It's my birthday next month so maybe if I'm lucky.
The show started on time at a hectic pace, there were no gentle introductions waiting for songs that you know, almost every song was a classic.
The set list was as the previous night in Wolverhampton (shown on Denise's review) which I was particularly pleased about, as "Memphis" is my absolute favourite Tony cover version. As Denise has noted in previous reviews I was a little disappointed that "Drops of Jupiter" no longer seems in favour, as it's a great song.
My particular highlights of the night were "Time in a bottle" from Tony, a beautiful melodic song that I had never heard before, as well as " the very first time" also a new one on me, but a classic in the making. As well as mine (and Tony's) Favourite Spandau song "Barricades" which is a Hauntingly awesome song, which Tony always sings with such assurance, style and emotion.
I didn't know what to expect from Martin as I have never been a great fan of ABC, but I was impressed, he was much stronger on his own songs. A number of people around me commented that he seemed nervous on his cover versions. A minor criticism though. "Smokey sings" was the song that really got people up dancing in the aisles.
Tony was wise cracking throughout, particularly about the days Football and the fact that Liverpool had lost to Chelsea in the cup final earlier in the day. This started a lot of good-humoured banter and mock boo's from the crowd, although I found it very amusing as I'm a big Everton fan.
All too soon a great gig was over, thankfully my friend is now a converted Tony fan, and I have already lent her one of Tony's live albums!
Thanks for reading -
Kev
Thanks Kev for submitting this review.