Review: Tony Hadley, The Sage Gateshead

Dec 3 2008 by Barbara Hodgson, The Journal

WHEN I arrived at The Sage on a cold, dark and frankly miserable Monday night, I needed more than a drink to instil a bit of seasonal goodwill.

But it turned out that Mr Hadley and company – an eight-piece band to be exact – had enough good cheer to go around for everyone. Over two hours, the Spandau Ballet frontman, who opened against a star-spangled backdrop with Bowie’s Life on Mars, cajoled, seduced and surprised with a medley of hits, fusing rock covers, power-packed Spandau numbers and a Christmas classic to round off.

In Spandau’s 80s heyday, Hadley’s mighty vocals drove songs like True and Gold straight to the top of the charts. Now he treats them like old friends and, alongside Lifeline and Through the Barricades, they were what fans of the band wanted to hear. A big chap with an even bigger voice, Hadley can turn mellow in an instant – and it’s quite amazing how long he can hold a note.

Relaxed and easy on stage, he gave his views on I’m A Celebrity (he’d never take part in it in a million years) and Strictly Come Dancing, which he turned down twice – though three of his band were happy to show off their own pretty smooth dance steps.

He paid tribute to Queen then did full justice to their Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, Somebody To Love and We Are The Champions. By the time he changed tack and belted out Caught in a Trap, the audience was on its feet and singing along. It may still have been grim outside when he wrapped up with Santa Claus is Coming To Town but, by then, who cared.