The original and best, that’s the reality

 

Will Young

Kenwood House, Hampstead, London

 

by Cary Gee

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

 

Before Simon Cowell littered the airwaves with tomorrow’s has-beens, providing reality television bookers with a ready-made cast of swivel-eyed castaways and enough characters to fill an encyclopaedia-sized “Where are they now?” feature, there was 2002’s Pop Idol, which saw Will Young’s battle bus career into Gareth Gates’ in a race to become Britain’s first fully-fledged pop star made for and by TV.

 

There was only ever going to be one winner, although I thought Young had blown his chances after both wannabes were filmed “at home”: Gates in his council flat in the north-east of England, Young sitting around the family’s Aga in Devon. There was – and remains – something irremediably middle class about Young, so it’s perhaps fitting that he should find himself headlining a gig, promoted by English Heritage, in the environs of Kenwood House, Hampstead.

 

“Do you like my new pad?’ asks Young, nodding towards Robert Adam’s masterpiece. “I’m having an after show party, so please make yourselves at home.”

 

Despite this, this evening’s concert progresses at a cracking pace, perhaps because of the 10pm curfew.

 

The crowd is grateful to Young’s workmanlike approach. People have come to hear the impressive number of hits the singer has accumulated while his rivals have fallen by the wayside and Young obliges – cranking them out one after the other, while acknowledging, perhaps more than most performers, the role the crowd has played in his success.

 

He is charm personified, chatting away with the slightly risqué enthusiasm of a student home from his first term away at university. His task of crowd-control should not be underestimated, given that many punters have enjoyed a longer picnic than some of Young’s contemporaries have enjoyed a career. Hits such as “Love is a Matter of Distance” and “Light my Fire”, the latter owing more to Jose Feliciano’s cover than The Doors’ original, are sung in the sweetly soulful voice that surprised so many back in the day.

 

In fact live, Young’s voice is something of a revelation, although at times he still has a tendency to move about the stage like a cow on ice. But so what if it’s not sexy? When he sings “Leave Right Now”, it is clear, once again, that here is a performer who certainly had the talent to make it with or without Simon Cowell’s help. The evening has exceeded all expectations. The original – and still the best.

 

http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/07/2...9s-the-reality/

Thanks BYM&Ms - nice one but "A cow on ice" what on earth does she mean :lol:

Thanks BYM&Ms - nice one but "A cow on ice" what on earth does she mean :lol:

 

 

I do tend to agree with her :lol:

Nice one BYM&M's

 

Much like The Hits Tour he's had some cracking summer gig reviews.Think I'll start a thread with all the reviews. There are a few over on Devoted. :D

Edited July 28, 201014 yr by truly talented

Nice one BYM&M's

 

Much like The Hirts Tour he's had some cracking summer gig reviews.Think I'll start a thread with all the reviews. There are a few over on Devoted. :D

 

 

Great idea it's so much easier to find them

Great idea it's so much easier to find them

 

Done not in order I'm afraid. :lol: If I've missed any please feel free to add.

 

I loved reading them all together. He's come a long way & there is so much appreciation of his talent. :wub: :wub:

Edited July 28, 201014 yr by truly talented