08 November 2026 (gig)
7 h
In support of his latest studio album, his 20th, no less, Gilbert O’Sullivan brought his nationwide tour to the London Palladium on November 8, 2026. Performing to a packed house of appreciative fans, he debuted new numbers while revisiting almost all of his thirteen top twenty hits from 1970 to 1980. One notable omission was ‘Ooh Baby’, of which Gilbert admits: “Too many ‘Ooh Babys!’”
Eager to correct any of us who might assume that this was his first time at the fabled Palladium, Gilbert cited his five night run at the theatre in 1973, when he’d played two shows per night. To mark his return, he proudly displayed a commemorative plaque presented to him by the venue management.
Support act Kiki Dee recalled her own memories of performing on ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium at the age of 18. The audience were audibly delighted to be gifted with two ‘70s legends in one show, and her re-styled, mellow rendition of ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ was warmly received.
Gilbert’s set luxuriated in a 13 piece band, with early hits like ‘Nothing Rhymed’ and ‘We Will’ warmly enhanced by strings, woodwind and brass. The ensemble also pulled out all the stops for rocking numbers like ‘Ok, Don’t Shout’, a lively cut from the new album, On the Record. Guitarist Bill Shanley showcased his versatility by seamlessly switching from scorching rock solos to sensitive folk picking, most notably on a spellbinding version of 1974’s ‘Happiness Is Me And You’.
Drawing on a phenomenal 60 years of songwriting, the setlist was a testament to Gilbert’s distinctive pairing of comedy and melancholy. Thus, the evening sailed from the chillingly atmospheric ‘Miss My Love Today’ to the irreverently silly ‘Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day’, reimagined in a nimble street busking fashion. A spontaneous sigh swept around the room at the opening chords of ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’, followed by the crowd’s reverent recitation of every line, almost like a modern day hymn. 1973 single ‘Why Oh Why Oh Why’ was given a sprightly reggae makeover, while the gospel ballad, ‘Where Peaceful Waters Flow’ was dedicated to Ukraine in a passionate introduction from Gilbert.
The audience was thrilled as Andrea Corr unexpectedly emerged from the wings to duet on the country-flavoured ‘Is That You?’. Also guesting was the London Contemporary Voices choir, supplying Swingle Singers-style vocalese on the mini-symphony ‘Houdini Said’. Yet another highpoint came as the brass section blasted new life into 1975’s lesser known single, ‘I Don’t Love You But I Think I Like You’. To bring the night to a close, the band whipped up a latin fiesta for a jubilant ‘Matrimony’, followed by the thumping beat of ‘Get Down’, bringing the audience to its dancing feet.
