Date: 9 November 2001
Originally published in: BBC Website (UK)
Written by: Helen Turley
It was back to the 80s for Newcastle as the Here and Now Tour began their UK dates at Newcastle’s Telewest Arena. Carol Decker from T’Pau kicked off the night with lungs as forceful as ever. ‘Heart and Soul’, ‘Valentine’ and crowd favourite ‘China in Your Hand’ got the audience of thirtysomethings really singing.
Next up was Nick Heyward who followed Decker with super renditions of ‘Whistle down the Wind’ and ‘Fantastic day’. Now it was time for me to really go back to days when I donned a ra-ra skirt. 80s teen heart-throbs Go West took the stage with a bang. Oh, how I boogied to ‘King of Wishful Thinking’.
After a quick break Heaven 17 appeared. Personally I loved their performance of ‘Temptation’. The beginning of the tune was more suited to the present day. It was a great classic to sing along to. Even though I was looking forward to seeing Ben from Curiosity Killed the Cat, my curiosity expired when he seemed like he didn’t really want to be on stage.
Then it was the 80s Diva herself, the British version of Blondie, Kim Wilde. How I hope I can look as good as her when I’m 40! Slick and sexy in leathers you could tell that she was enjoying her time back in the limelight. Kim really please the audience with favourites ‘You Came’ and the anthem ‘Kids in America’.
Paul Young ended the night. Proving he still has the energy of a twenty-year-old by jumping around the stage like a maniac. I felt his voice did break up a little, (I think that was due to aiming to exhaust himself entertaining the crowd) but he had every person singing along to ‘Everytime you go Away’.
The Here and Now Tour 2 is back at the Telewest Arena on April 24th next year with Adam Ant, Hadley, Norman & Keeble, ex Spandau Ballet, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Howard Jones, Toyah and China Crisis. Time to don that ra-ra skirt again…
