Reflections of Darkness - Music Magazine - Spandau Ballet

Details: Written by: Sebastian Huhn; Published: 09 March 2010

Philipshalle, Düsseldorf, Germany
7th March 2010
Spandau Ballet

They’re one of the most successful pop bands of the 1980s, have put out over 23 hit singles storming the charts worldwide. With songs like ‘True’, ‘Gold’, ‘Through the Barricades’ and ‘Only when you Leave’, they released pop classics which became part of popular music culture and were influential for many artists. They sold 25 million albums worldwide, played sold-out stadium tours and were in the UK charts for all in all 500 weeks. In case you’re not having noticed it already, we’re talking about legendary formation SPANDAU BALLET who have provided generations of people with a soundtrack to their lives. But after they fell out with each other in 1990 which led to the band’s break-up eventually, it was long time uncertain anyone would ever see or hear anything from them again.

But as chance would have it, their ways would cross again almost 20 years later and the sensation was made perfect with the announcement of the original line-up to make music again and even release a new album with ‘Once More’, which mostly included re-arranged hits with the title song as the first new composition in years. SPANDAU BALLET is Tony Hadley (lead vocals, synthesizers), Gary Kemp (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Martin Kemp (bass), Steve Norman (saxophone, guitar, percussion backing vocals) and John Keeble (drums, backing vocals). http://www.spandauballet.com/

Music & Performance
Also clashing cold like on this Sunday couldn't hold back people of forming a long queue in front of Philipshalle as they wanted to see the idols of their youth. Some even risked getting punched in the face for tickets - even though the venue was not sold-out. Anyway, at some point they were all inside the building, got themselves some drinks and then a good place before the stage or on the seats. The stage was hidden behind a translucent curtain you still couldn't see much through. When the lights dimmed, a little documentary movie was shown, showing footage of different stations of the band's career on tour - back when they were all young. At the end the band name appeared in golden letters and without anybody noticing the band must've slipped on stage for when spots lit up in the middle of the stage, they were all there to start the show with the memorable chords of 'To cut a long Story short'. Now everyone seemed just as if they were 15 again, screamed and danced along.

Also following 'The Freeze' and 'Highly Strung' with the splendid saxophone play of Steve Norman made no exception, and whenever there was something upbeat coming from the PA, that behaviour would re-occur. Through all those tunes such as 'Highly Strung' or 'Always in the Back of my Mind' it was amazing to see how much power and passion the elderly gentlemen still put in their performance, may it be on vocals or instruments. The moments they could really score though, and which belonged to the most intimate and intense moments with the audience, were when a ballad was on schedule. 'With the Pride' with its stripped down, acoustic performance and the following 'Through the Barricades' were definitely show highlights in that category. So, when the show ended after 18 songs and as many hits, the stream of excitement wouldn't cease until the band came back for the encore, because one song still hadn't been played as yet: 'Gold'!

They kept that for the very end of the concert after 'Fight for Ourselves', and by that made it a very special ending for everyone with dances and chanting. Well, it was nice, very nice. They still have got the fire and had it spring over to the audience.

Setlist
01. To cut a long Story short
02. The Freeze
03. Highly Strung
04. Only When You Leave
05. I'll fly for You
06. How many Lies
07. Virgin
08. She Loved like Diamond
09. Once More
10. Round and Round
11. Always in the Back of my Mind
12. With the Pride
13. Through the Barricades
14. Instinction
15. Communication
16. Lifeline
17. Chant #1 / Paint Me Down
18. True
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19. Fight for Ourselves
20. Gold

Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 8
Total: 8 / 10