Alison Moyet, Usher Hall: unique show filled with many minutes of sheer magic
Alison Moyet described this as a concept tour - one that took her in the very opposite direction of the greatest hits jukebox treadmill.
And when you see an artist completely comfortable doing their own thing, for the right reasons, you get a show that is unique; a moment in time that may never be replicated.
‘Songs from Yazoo, the minutes & Other’ delivered exactly what she promised; a night which celebrated her very early work with Vince Clarke, and her acclaimed solo electronica albums.
My 1980s teenage years were rooted firmly in heavy rock, but an album like Upstairs At Eric’s - Yazoo’s debut - was still an essential vinyl purchase, followed quickly by You And Me Both. Hearing their tracks played live after all these years was utterly wonderful.
On a black stage set with strip lighting adding bursts of green, pink and blue, and a stark explosion of white from the back risers, Moyet transported us back to the 80s both in sight and sound.
Nobody’s Diary had smart phones held aloft for the first time, but this was a gig to sit back and simply savour music that was perfectly crafted; songs with clear narratives layered over some glorious keyboard riffs.
Winter Kills was an absolute, dramatic stand out torch song, while Moyet delivered a wonderful Only You, reclaiming it back from the Flying Pickets with absolutely no need for any introduction.
The set ranged from a number of reflective numbers to sheer disco delight a we all shimmed back to the ‘80s and that spirit continued into the encore which had to end with Don’t Go; a perfect party piece finale.