29 November 2015 (gig)
30 November 2015
Towards the end of this final gig on Will Young's Love Revolution Tour, the singer tackles the tricky subject of his outfit for the night. "I feel like an over-excited vicar", as he describes the loose fitting "cassock", as he calls it. This self-demeaning statement underlines the confidence that Young exudes during the show. Opening with a theatrically staged version of latest single Brave Man, the performance is slick and masterful, but with just enough cheese and twee to keep those fans onboard that voted for him back on Pop Idol, fourteen years ago. Yes fourteen years!
The Hammersmith Apollo - to give it its traditional name - is packed and there is a spread of ages and sexes, although teenagers are more sparse than middle aged mums! The set is filled with material from this year's impressive 85% Proof album, with Brave Man followed by U Think I'm Sexy and later Thank You and a moody rendition of the excellent Like A River. The upbeat new tracks sound much better live than on record, with Love Revolution and Joy saved for a rousing encore.
Young's acting experience has also helped him become a confident showman and his interactions with the crowd are funny and natural. It's been an interesting tour he confides, with a man in Llandudno having 'Will Young' Tourettes that apparently became quite tiring after 80 minutes! At one point tonight, he pinches a fan's phone during a song before returning it via a selfie at the end of the track. He indicates that the lady should be watching the show not worrying about taking pictures, and this dislike of the modern craze of snapping away for your Instagram profile is discussed for the final encore, when Young kindly asks everyone to put their phones away and enjoy the moment together.
The polite request appears to be completely obeyed and closer Promise Me is all the better for it. Before then, some of Young's classics are reeled off by the singer and his classy backing band and singers. Leave Right Now still sounds like a pop gem, while Grace and Changes from Let It Go fit well with his newer sound. Your Game is given a funky reworking, while Who Am I is glorious and uplifting, while the closer to the full set Jealousy, is a triumph. Young seems in control of his career and sound and tonight's performance shows why he's one of TV talent shows' most impressive winners.
