It’s slightly worrying to think that Will Young is now 40 years old, and that it was 17 years ago that he took the coveted Pop Idol title over runner-up Gareth Gates, but, at the same time, it’s great to hear that his incredible voice is just as powerful as ever and that the maturity in his newer music is so very apparent.
The staging is quite low key with intelligent lighting picking out the five piece band as they perch on platforms of various heights set out across the stage, the two backing singers who take their places stage right – and a carefully placed person-sized packing case that sits stage left.
It is no surprise at all that, as the opening bars of Love Revolution blast out over the expectant crowd, Mr Young suddenly bursts out of the packing case and launches into his powerful opening number.
Although this tour is designed to promote Will’s new album, Lexicon, only two tracks are performed and it is his older music that features most heavily in the set list. His last single, All The Songs, taken from that album, doesn’t even feature in the show – quite a shock to many who are hoping to hear it live.
As his audience is mainly filled with those of us who remember his music from the very beginning, hits like Changes, Friday’s Child, Who Am I and Jealousy are all tremendously well received as are the cover versions of The Doors’ Light My Fire, Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) and his “Love Medley”, All Time Love / Love It A Matter of Distance / Love The One You’re With.
Of course, a Will Young concert wouldn’t be the same without some little eccentricities, so it comes as no surprise that he performs Friday’s Child while perched on a plank, between two step ladders, while silver confetti drops from high above him, or that he leaves the stage, just once, only to return dressed as a cruise ship!
All too soon the encore is upon us and, as the final bars of Leave Right Now drift out over the audience, that is exactly what he does. Something doesn’t feel quite right when such an upbeat and entertaining show ends on such a slow and dramatic song (especially when it is still 15 minutes before the advertised finishing time) but we all leave safe in the knowledge that, where other young pop stars come and go, Will stays, and has matured into a fine performer who continues to be right at the top of his game.
**** Four Stars