This unofficial site features his current and recent events and tours
Review of Tony
Hadley - Shepherds Bush Empire, London -
27th November 2008
After deciding to do all four gigs, I had to decide whether to go home after Birmingham or to move on, nearer London. I decided to go home, and on Tony's recommendation, I had a look around the Christmas market in Birmingham on my way back to New Street station. I arrived home at 1.45 pm on Wednesday and was back to the station at 9.30 am on Thursday, so just enough time to say hello to my family, unpack and repack my bag, and sleep in my own bed for a night.
I arrived in London around lunch time and met up with my friends at the hotel. We decided to get changed and make our way to Shepherds Bush early, so there would be no rush to join the queue outside the Shepherds Bush Empire to get our spaces at the front at the gig. My friends had told me that the last time they had been to the Shepherds Bush Empire, no cameras were allowed. I decided to take mine anyway, wrapped in a black carrier bag and put at the bottom of my handbag. As we were queuing I read the notice outside the venue which seemed to indicate that I would be ok with my camera as it said 'no professional cameras' and photography allowed as long as the artist didn't mind, and I know Tony doesn't mind photography. I'm glad I did take my camera as I think I have one or two photos that may go into next years calendar.
My friends Tina and Mandi were collecting money at the show for Action Medical Research as they are off on a trek to the Great Wall of China in September (not with Tony this time). So if you weren't there and would like to contribute to their fundraising efforts you can do so here for Tina and here for Mandi.
We got into the venue and made our way to the front, I didn't make it to the rail, but was just behind on the second row, but as I'm taller than a lot of my friends it didn't matter and I had a lovely view of Tony from where I was.
Some people weren't expecting Kelbie to come on, there hadn't been any notices at Shepherds Bush about the timings of the evening like there had been at Manchester and Birmingham, but I knew they wouldn't be on for that long and was happy to listen to them again.
It is a bit difficult to write something different about a gig with exactly the same set list, but being standing, this show had a different atmosphere than the other two. My feet prefer a sitting show, but the rest of me prefers a standing show where I can dance and can be near the front without having to be on the phone to the venue as soon as the tickets go on sale to get front row.
Tony seems to be enjoying these shows and he hasn't played London for a few years now, so there was a good deal of support from his family and friends at this show.
I think the set was brilliant again, I am impressed with backing singer, Kate, she has an excellent voice. I can't get the songs 'Don't stop believing', 'Sweet home Alabama' and 'More than a feeling' out of my head and I hope they continue to be part of future set lists. At over 12 minutes long, the Queen megamix is inspired and Tony gives his all to it.
The shows always go too quickly, I was surprised by how many photos I took, but it didn't feel like I took that many. I got another set list at the end of the show, only to find that it was another copy of the infamous 'Time in a Brothel' one from Monday, but my friend got one that had the correct set on it. Maybe I will try and get a correct one at Gateshead.
Denise