Tony Hadley, Sam McGovern @ The Gov, Adelaide 28/1/2025
They came in droves early in anticipation of a fantastic night of music featuring the wonderful Tony Hadley, former Spandau Ballet front man, playing all the hits and more from a highly esteemed career. It is hard to believe that it has been over two years since his last performance here in Adelaide at the iconic Thebarton Theatre. One thing is for is that the fans love him and if he played a bigger venue or an extra show that would have been sold out as well. To be able to see the great man in the intimate surrounds of The Gov is a great coup for fans to be able to get right up close.
Opening act Sam Govern is a rising star and despite all the challenges of playing to someone else’s crowd I think he can be proud of a stellar performance. Most of the time it was difficult to hear him because some people could not afford him the decency to give him the attention he deserves and continue to talk loudly incessantly. Playing songs from his new EP Love Reverie they are full of charm. Final song Tightrope initially ended abruptly being out of time but fortunately he was allowed to return to play this last one.
There was an excitable energy in The Gov which increased ten fold when Tony Hadley and band took the stage. It had a bluesy cabaret feel about it with the opening song Feeling Good (Anthony Newly cover)which was followed by To Cut A Long Story Short. The Spandau Ballet back catalogue resonates as strongly now as it ever has before and tonight’s show had all the hallmarks of being a special gig. When Hadley asked “Are there any crazy chicks in the crowd?” I reckon nearly ninety nine percent of them answered! More Spandau Ballet classic in Highly Strung and Only When You Leave followed. Hadley is a classy dresser and there was a story behind tonight’s suit selection and having to make running repairs to the “undercarriage” hoping that nothing to “strenuous” happens to undo those repairs.
Hadley’s band are elite, well drilled and gig hardened and it shows in the performance and how good it was. I’ll Fly To You was all class and there was a touch of naughtiness with Alibi. Round And Round was another gem thrown in and it is hard to believe that Spandau Ballet last played in Adelaide in 2015 with Hadley proudly pulling one from that show’s set list in Soul Boy. With The Pride brought these down a tad before increasing the excitement with another Spandau Ballet classic in Through The Barricades. There was a poignant message from Hadley to take away and I don’t think anyone could disagree with the sentiment that if we all loved each other a little more we will all be better. With a glass of jack it was on to a Walk Of Shame followed by the popular Chant No. 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On) which got hips shaking and feet shuffling.
This show was definitely like a greatest hits song book and he could of added another chapter playing longer. Lifeline and Mad About You were fantastic followed by that one that “we gotta do that one” talking about the 1983 hit True that changed their lives and created great opportunity and wealth. Wow! It was that moment that the crowd was transfixed and he had them in the palm of his hands. The power of this song is incredible transcending generations. Could that be possibly be topped off? Well, Gold would have to come close to be the pinnacle moment. Suggesting he was to lazy to walk off stage and back, plus his trousers had stuck to him, pulling out a gem of a cover in Queen’s We Are The Champions. Fantastic show, Tony Hadley, take a bow!
Live Review By Rob Lyon