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Spandau Ballet was an early announcement to be performing at the Singapore
F1 GP in September as part of their Soul Boys of the Western World tour.
I wasnt originally going to see them again after the Melbourne show but in
June there were strong rumours that Bon Jovi would be headlining the Grand
Prix concerts. This was soon confirmed and we were booked for a
weekend of car racing, Spandau Ballet and Bon Jovi.
Spandau Ballet were originally noted as performing after the F1 qualifying
late on the Saturday night with a timeslot of 90 minutes but when the
confirmed schedule came out they were rescheduled for 8pm for just an hour.
Coming to the end of the final F1 practice session a few of us started to
gather around the Village stage watching the end of the on track action on
the huge TVs before officials sectioned off an area right in front of the
stage (much to the confusion of those arriving to find spots for the
concert) but this was for the fire dancing girls scheduled as a very unusual
'support act' as it turned out. In the heat the additional warmth from
the fire the girls had on their waists and heads throughout was really
appreciated but the audience was impressed by their half hour display.
Then the dash under the barrier tape and to the stage - getting to the front
was all about planning and those of us on the side got there but it wasnt a
guaranteed thing even when only covering about 2 metres to get there!
The band started off 5 minutes early (the 7.55 time had been advised on the
big screen) with the regular opener for the tour in Soul Boy but then it was
quickly into the hits with Highly Strung, Only When you Leave and I'll Fly
for You as the hot and humid conditions really hit both those of us in the
crowd and on stage Tony in particular but made no difference to the show.
Round and Round was a highlight and it was soon into the earlier period of
songs with To Cut a Long Story Short getting the crowd really going.
There was only time to play the well known hits which Spandau Ballet
launched into rapidfire - little gaps between the songs to try and get
through them.
The tempo ramped up for Instinction, Communication and one of their best
live Lifeline (I do think this is often underestimated in concert reviews)
then True which is usually the end of the main set. With no time for
the encore 'gap' the band members basically took a slight pause then
straight into Through the Barricades and then Gold at the end. The
show ran about 10 minutes overtime too but that was brilliant as usual they
were note perfect through the show.
Sterling filling in on the drums did a brilliant job and he was the first to
come out and chat to the group of four of us (plus one fans daughter).
He was very chatty and actually pulled out a set of drumsticks and gave them
to the fan's daughter when he heard she was a music student. Gary came
out next and posed for photos with everyone with Tony and Steve coming out
some time later for pics with the 2 fans who stayed on. Just to show
how bands bring fans together there was only 4 of us but we were from
Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong (with 2 of us also heading to Hong Kong
for the last show). As I was leaving a group called Boys in the Band
were starting their set on stage - very very similar to Human Nature and
looked and sounded pretty good but it was time to head back to the hotel and
get out of the neverending heat and humidity and prepare for the Sunday
night concert.
Their official website can be found at
Spandau Ballet
Please note these images are copyright to Jenny Barnes and are not to be
copied/distributed/used in anyway without approval.
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