Beverley Knight at the London Palladium

The London Palladium

I’ve been vaguely aware of Beverley Knight for years, but she really came to my attention when she started to perform in musicals about a decade ago. I thought she was brilliant in Memphis, The Drifters Girl and Sylvia, and when the chance came to go and see her on her 50th birthday celebration tour, I had to take it.

Beverley was full of energy from the moment she came on stage and was still singing as she walked off at the end. I had hoped that she would sing some of the songs she performed so brilliantly in musicals. She didn’t – but she put on such a good show that in the end I didn’t mind.

Beverley Knight on stage

The concert began with Greatest Day, followed by Made It Back: classic songs which set the tone for the evening to come. Beverley performed a number of songs from her new album, The Fifth Chapter (which I have now put on my wishlist), as well as some deeply moving ballads (including Fallen Soldier, a moving tribute to Stephen Lawrence). Towards the end of the night, Beverley treated us to her most memorable and popular songs, inluding Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda and the pop-infused Come As You Are. Arriving back on stage for a triumphant encore, she sang Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman and Prince’s I Wanna Be Your Lover, ending with Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.

If anything, Beverley sounds even better live than she does on CD. She’s a superb performer and comes across as a lovely person. I’m so glad I got the chance to attend her gig.

Setlist

  • Greatest Day
  • Made It Back ’99
  • Systematic Overload
  • A Little More Love
  • Not Prepared For You
  • Flavour of the Old School / Moving On Up (On the Right Side) / Get Up!
  • Keep This Fire Burning
  • Gold
  • Cold World
  • Fallen Soldier
  • Sista Sista
  • The Need of You
  • I’m On Fire
  • Shoulda Woulda Coulda
  • Someone Else’s Problem
  • Last One On My Mind
  • Come as You Are

Encore

  • I’m Every Woman
  • I Wanna Be Your Lover
  • Everything’s Gonna be Alright

Sugababes (One Night Only) at the O2

Sugababes on stage

I saw the Sugababes at Hammersmith Apollo last year, and had such a good time that I booked to see them at their One Night Only concert at the O2 Arena. They were just as good this time round, and played even more of their classics.

The group kicked off with the super catchy Push the Button, continuing with Red Dress, Hole in the Head and Ugly. I’m now used to seeing Siobhan sing songs previously performed by her successor in the band, Heidi, and she fits really well into these Noughties-era tracks. Keisha and Mutya are stalwarts of the group, and the three of them have superb stage presence and flawless vocals.

About a decade ago, the trio released a superb song, Flatline, under the name MKS (Mutya Keisha Siobhan). It was great to hear them perform it tonight, along with other classics of that era that were never released at the time, such as Today and Beat Is Gone. Luckily, with the recent release of The Lost Tapes, fans can finally own these tracks and more.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear one of my favourite songs, Run For Cover, performed, as well as other album tracks from Overload such as One Touch, Lush Life and One Foot In. These were performed against a backdrop of retro video footage showing the girls as young teenagers around the year 2000, which was incredibly nostalgic to see.

Sugababes have a huge back catalogue these days, but they still managed to play many of their hits that I love, such as Too Lost In You, Stronger and, of course, Freak Like Me. The encore featured the classics Round Round and About You Now, as well as the new single When The Rain Comes, showing that the group still has plenty to offer.

Board at North Greenwich station

Setlist

  • Push the Button
  • Red Dress
  • Hole in the Head
  • Ugly
  • Flatline
  • Run For Cover
  • Today
  • Shape
  • One Touch
  • Lush Life
  • One Foot In
  • Overload
  • Flowers
  • Too Lost in You
  • Beat Is Gone
  • Stronger
  • Freak Like Me

Encore

  • When the Rain Comes
  • Round Round
  • About You Now

Delta Goodrem (Hearts on the Run Tour) at O2 Institute Birmingham

Delta Goodrem on stage

I’ve been a fan of Delta Goodrem ever since she first appeared on Neighbours, my favourite TV show. I love her voice and her music is brilliant – she’s one of the only artists I seek out B sides and unreleased tracks for as they are so good. She’s a household name in her native Australia but, except for briefly during the release of her first album, has never enjoyed quite the same level of success in the UK: she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma shortly after the release of Innocent Eyes, which prevented her touring the album around the UK and capitalising on that success.

Twenty years later, she is finally touring the UK. I originally had a ticket to the April show in London and was gutted when the rescheduled date fell on Bank Holiday Sunday when I was due to be at Rebel Summer Camp. I thought about it for a while and decided to go to the Birmingham gig – it would mean travelling up immediately after work, and coming back to London in the early hours of the morning, knowing I had to be ready for camp the next day – but the stars somehow aligned and everything worked out. The gig even finished at just the right time to allow me to catch the earlier train!

Delta has a massive back catalogue, so I was prepared not to hear some of my favourites. That wasn’t a problem though, because she played so many songs that I love. From early favourites ‘Innocent Eyes’ and ‘Predictable’, to anthems ‘Solid Gold’ and ‘The Power’ from her latest album, it was a thorough string of hits, interspersed with the odd cover – an impromptu rendition of the Neighbours theme (happy to see that Delta hasn’t forgotten her roots) and a fun version of Cher’s ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’.

Uplifting song ‘Wings’ opened the set, and from then until the end Delta gave her all to the audience in a show full of energy. There were moments of introspection, too, when she reflected on the ups and downs of her life and career – her cancer, and the throat surgery that threatened her singing career. Tracks like ‘Keep Climbing’ and ‘Paralyzed’ fitted perfectly with this more downbeat mood.

Overall, though, this was a deeply uplifting gig, not least because Delta was so much fun and seemed genuinely thrilled to be there. Finishing with the powerful ‘Believe Again’, she came back for an encore consisting of her first and latest singles: ‘Born To Try’ and ‘Back To Your Heart’, which proves that she is still capable of making catchy and powerful pop music.

Setlist

  • Wings
  • Innocent Eyes
  • The Power
  • Lost Without You
  • In This Life
  • Keep Climbing
  • Almost Here
  • Neighbours Theme
  • If I Could Turn Back Time
  • Predictable
  • Solid Gold
  • Out Of The Blue
  • Paralyzed
  • Smile
  • Dear Life
  • Sitting on Top of the World
  • Running Away
  • Wish You Were Here
  • Play
  • Back In 84
  • Think About You
  • Dancing With a Broken Heart / I Believe In A Thing Called Love
  • Believe Again

Encore

  • Born to Try
  • Back To Your Heart

Avril Lavigne at Alexandra Palace

I originally booked to see Avril Lavigne in the spring of 2020.

When the pandemic hit, it was rearranged to 2021, then 2022. About a month before the gig, it was postponed again, to May 2023.

Luckily, this gig actually took place!

I’ve been a fan of Avril since my teenage years. Her first two albums in particular soundtracked my life at sixth form and university, and I was excited at finally getting the chance to see her live. The original gig was meant to take place at Brixton Academy, but with the issues that place has been facing lately, it was moved to Alexandra Palace. Which suits me fine, because although it’s a long way away, it is easy to reach, and is a great venue.

Alexandra Palace

Even waiting to go into the concert was good fun, as the DJ was playing Noughties classics from the likes of Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado and Blink 182. I had some chips while I was waiting and contemplated how it was over 20 years since Avril’s debut album Let Go was released. (Don’t do this, you will end up with an existential crisis).

When Avril finally came on she was great. She opened with her recent single ‘Bite Me’ (which sounds a lot like her early stuff) and followed with several hits, including some of my favourites, like ‘When You’re Gone’ and ‘My Happy Ending’. Of course, hearing ‘Complicated’ and the iconic ‘Sk8er Boi’ was brilliant. I knew she was going to play ‘Girlfriend’, so I wasn’t too disappointed when she did, even though it’s not a favourite of mine.

A surprise was the cover of the Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’, with phem, her support act. The encore featured ‘Head Above Water’, one of my favourite of her more recent songs, as well as ‘I’m With You’ which I love. She ended on a high with ‘Here’s To Never Growing Up’.

At one time I used to think that Avril couldn’t really sing live. I’m happy to be able to say I’ve been proved wrong. She was great, full of energy, and looked exactly the same as she did twenty years ago. I want to know her secret!

While I prefer her earlier music, and some of her output has been patchy, it’s impressive that she has continued to make good pop music for all this time. Some of her more recent songs are favourites of mine. I’m roughly the same age as Avril and feel like I’ve grown up with her – judging by the ages of those around me at the concert, I’m not alone.

Avril Lavigne on stage at Alexandra Palace

Setlist

  • Bite Me
  • What the Hell
  • Complicated
  • When You’re Gone
  • My Happy Ending
  • I’m a Mess
  • Wannabe (Spice Girls cover) (with phem)
  • Love Sux
  • Girlfriend
  • Love It When You Hate Me
  • Sk8er Boi

Encore

  • Head Above Water
  • I’m With You
  • Here’s to Never Growing Up

Darren Hayes at the London Palladium

Palladium

When I was a teenager, I loved the band Savage Garden. I remember in particular listening to them on the bus on the way to college. The group actually only released two albums before splitting up, and singer Darren Hayes began a solo career.

Twenty five years after Savage Garden first burst on to the scene. Darren has embarked on a new tour. Marking, and celebrating, the release of his latest album Homosexual, it also celebrates his entire career and features many of his solo hits and classic Savage Garden songs.

I’d never seen Darren live before and he was brilliant. He really engaged the crowd and showcased some excellent dance moves (especially considering he’s now 50!). His voice is just as good as ever and it was amazing to hear some of my favourites, including ‘To The Moon and Back’ and ‘Truly Madly Deeply’, live.

The show was also surprisingly moving, as Darren spoke openly about the shame he felt about his sexuality growing up, his abusive father, and his first marriage. At times he got very emotional but the support shown by the crowd was heartwarming.

On a lighter note, his banter and interactions with his band and backing singers/dancers was very funny and really livened things up.

I am so glad I decided to go to this gig. It will go down as one of the most memorable I have attended.

Darren Hayes on stage at the Palladium

Setlist

  • Homosapien / Chained to You
  • Affirmation
  • The Animal Song
  • Insatiable / Forget Me Nots
  • All You Pretty Things / Step into the Light
  • To The Moon And Back
  • Two Beds and a Coffee Machine
  • I Don’t Know You Anymore
  • Poison Blood
  • I Knew I Loved You
  • Casey
  • Do You Remember?
  • Homosexual (Act One)
  • Let’s Try Being in Love
  • Pop!ular
  • Break Me Shake Me / Last Night A DJ Saved My Life
  • Hey Matt
  • Dublin Sky
  • Crash and Burn
  • Truly Madly Deeply

Encore

  • I Want You
  • The Best Thing

Anastacia (I’m Outta Lockdown Tour) at Hammersmith Apollo

Anastacia on stage

I’m not entirely sure what impulse prompted me to book a ticket for Anastacia at Hammersmith Apollo. I hardly considered myself a huge fan, though I do have her greatest hits from a few years back.

Anyway, I was very grateful to this impulse, because I had a brilliant time. Anastacia sang brilliantly, seemed really thankful to be there, and had a great rapport with the audience. I reckon she’d be a super fun person to have on a night out.

Setlist

  • Not That Kind
  • Freak of Nature
  • Paid My Dues
  • Cowboys & Kisses
  • Overdue Goodbye
  • Sick and Tired
  • Why’d You Lie to Me
  • Made for Lovin’ You
  • You’ll Never Be Alone
  • Everything Burns
  • Who’s Gonna Stop the Rain
  • Sweet Child o’ Mine
  • One Day in Your Life
  • Stupid Little Things
  • I’m Outta Love

Encore

  • Left Outside Alone

Sugababes at Hammersmith Apollo

Sugababes on stage

I’ve been a fan of the Sugababes for over twenty years, but never seen them in concert. Recently, the original trio started touring again under the Sugababes name – they reunited a few years ago under the name MKS but have since reclaimed the rights to their band name. Watching this concert, it was like they’d never been away.

Mutya and Keisha were long-standing members, but Siobhan was only a member during their first album, being subsequently replaced by Heidi. For me, Keisha, Mutya and Heidi are THE Sugababes trio, but seeing the original three sing together in perfect harmony (literally), it just seemed right. Even though Siobhan only sang, originally, on about four of the tracks they performed tonight.

I wasn’t impressed with the Apollo, who seemed to have oversold tickets so that it was absolutely rammed right to the back of the arena, and some people couldn’t get in at all. But I cannot fault the group one bit – they were fantastic.

Setlist

  • Push the Button
  • Red Dress
  • Hole in the Head
  • Too Lost in You
  • Flatline
  • 2 Hearts
  • Today
  • Ugly
  • Love Me Hard
  • Stronger
  • Overload
  • Flowers
  • Round Round
  • Freak Like Me

Encore

  • About You Now

Natalie Imbruglia (Left of the Middle 25th Anniversary Tour) at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Natalie Imbruglia on stage

Unbelievably, it’s been 25 years since Natalie Imbruglia released her debut album, Left of the Middle, which featured her first and biggest hit Torn. To celebrate, she’s touring the UK, and I enjoyed the concert I went to last year so much that I booked to see her on this tour too.

I love Shepherd’s Bush as a venue so I was really happy she was playing here. It was a great night – Natalie played most of the songs from Left of the Middle, though I was sorry not to hear Intuition, one of my favourites. During the encore she even played Something Better, a B-side from that era. She also performed five songs from her most recent album Firebird, including the title track – which I love – and the lead single, as well as a couple of other hits – Shiver and Wrong Impression.

I had a brilliant night and would love to see her again in the future.

Phoebe Bridgers (Reunion Tour) at the O2 Academy, Brixton

Phoebe Bridgers on stage at the O2

I got into Phoebe Bridgers over lockdown, and booked a ticket to see her at the O2 Academy in Brixton in July. I had to get a ticket upstairs, and totally hadn’t realised that the upstairs is filled with seats – but everyone stood anyway throughout most of the gig.

I had such a good time – Phoebe played songs from both of her albums, focusing on Punisher, kicking things off with ‘Motion Sickness’ and ending with the incredible ‘I Know The End’ (at least until she came back to play a brand new song for an encore). I hope I get a chance to see her again in the future.

Setlist

  • Motion Sickness
  • DVD Menu
  • Garden Song
  • Kyoto
  • Punisher
  • Halloween
  • Smoke Signals
  • Funeral
  • Chinese Satellite
  • Moon Song
  • Scott Street
  • Savior Complex
  • ICU
  • Sidelines
  • Graceland Too
  • I Know the End

Daði Freyr at the Roundhouse, London

Dadi Freyr on stage at the Roundhouse

I booked this gig ages ago, and was so glad when the time finally arrived to go and see Iceland’s Daði Freyr – known for his band’s offbeat entries to Eurovision 2020 and 2021 – live at the Roundhouse.

Whenever I go and see a singer or band I love looking around to see what kind of people choose to go and see them. The crowd here was so varied – young and old, casual and smart. It was one of the friendliest and most laid-back crowds I’ve ever come across. I would assume everyone there is a Eurovision fan, which makes me happy.

Daði Freyr himself was a great performer, fun, quirkly and consistently entertaining. Of course, he played his Eurovision hits, but there were plenty of other original songs and even a couple of covers. I had a fantastic time, even though it was so hot my makeup literally melted off my face.

Setlist

  • Thank You
  • Shut Up
  • Where We Wanna Be
  • Næsta Skref
  • Somebody Else Now
  • Fugladansinn (Chicken Dance)
  • Skiptir ekki máli
  • Clear My Head
  • I’m Fine
  • Feel the Love
  • Kemur Þér ekki við
  • 10 Years
  • Sabada
  • All Star (Smash Mouth cover)
  • Think About Things

Encore

  • Save Your Kisses for Me (Brotherhood of Man cover)
  • Endurtaka mig