WORTHING, PAVILION, 14/11/15
Windy Worthing pier; Saturday night, ABC in concert is an unexpected treat in the Pavilion Theatre calendar, a stage usually graced with ‘end of the pier’ seaside entertainment shows sees a near capacity crowd out for a fun Saturday night.
ABC is fronted by lead singer Martin Fry, currently the sole member, they were originally one of a handful of DIY post-punk bands to adopt a more sophisticated synth pop sound during the early 80’s (Duran, the League, Spandau to name a few). This Worthing show was added as an additional date on a brief tour of UK symphony halls billed as ‘ABC – The Lexicon of Love, Performing the album in it’s entirety with the Southbank Sinfonia Orchestra conducted by Anne Dudley’
However, sadly missing from this show at Worthing was the Orchestra and Anne Dudley (presumably venue size restrictions), but Martin Fry kept the crowd enthralled during the 1 hour and 15 minute set with a slick performance with help from the popular ‘Rewind Festival’ house band thrown in for good measure instead.
Career spanning hits played included ‘Poison Arrow’ (played twice during the show, appearing again as one of the encores) ‘The Look of Love’, ‘All of My Heart’, ‘When Smokey Sings’ and ‘The Night You Murdered Love’ all perfectly performed. One can’t help but think of Martin as a kind of elder statesmen of 80’s pop in a similar vein to Morrissey – acting the true bequiffed showman in a smartly suited attire reaching out to the responsive audience.
LONDON – DRURY LANE THEATRE, 8/11/2015
When Smokey Sings / The Very First Time / Ten Below Zero / Viva Love / The Night You Murdered Love / One Better World / Ocean Blue / Flames of Desire / (How to Be a) Millionaire / Be Near Me / Overture / Show Me / Poison Arrow / Many Happy Returns / Tears Are Not Enough / Valentine’s Day / The Look of Love (Part One) / Date Stamp / 4 Ever 2 Gether / All of My Heart / The Look of Love (Part Four) / The Look of Love (Part One)
Review & Photographs by Andy Sturmey.
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[five-star-rating]