Will
Young
Live at the NEC
Way back in the Pop Idol
heats, Simon 'trousers round neck' Cowell branded one of Will Young's performances
'distinctly average.' Those who've been cheering Will on ever since he famously
fought back must take huge delight in the distinctly slick shows he's putting
on nowadays.
On this - one of his three sell-out Birmingham dates - he delivered his soul-flavoured
pop with stunning confidence, as though he'd been filling arenas for years.
He has, however, clearly retained his grounded, uni-debating-society charm,
which won the Pop Idol voters over (and no doubt helped ultimately to
snaffle the title from Gareth Gates).
Typically dapper, in one of his trademark trilby hats, Will graced the stage
for almost two hours, and put on a real 'show,' which featured a full band,
four backing singers and half a dozen dancers. Not for our William is the 'stand
still and sing' (or mime) technique - he proved himself a pretty wicked mover
too.
The set comprised every song from his lovely second album Friday's Child,
plus his debut single Evergreen, the funked-down Doors cover Light
My Fire, haunting ballad You and I and some new numbers.
Favourites included the emotive Number 1 Leave Right Now, clappy-chorused
Love The One You're With and gospelly recent hit Your Game,
which made a powerful encore.
Video screens at the back of the scenery were an idea perhaps a bit arty for
some tastes, but interesting all the same. They flashed up incongruous images
of synchronised swimmers, clowns and Will dressed as as matador. In the latter
clip, he sported a black, Zorro-esque moustache, which I have to say did nothing
for him!
During Very Kind, six screens behind Will gave the illusion of mirrors.
Only when his 'sextuplets' stopped mimicking his movements did I realise they
were screen images rather than reflections.
One bizarre moment even saw him dart down the aisle to nab an inflatable Shrek
donkey being bafflingly brandished by a girl in the crowd.
Through it all, the audience - which encompassed mainly girls, middle-aged ladies
and kids - were whisked into a screaming, foot-stamping, Mexican-waving frenzy.
I admit having many friends who wouldn't be seen dead at a Will Young concert
- well, I'm afraid they just don't know what they're missing! I went to the
NEC knowing full well I'd have a good night - but I know Will's knockout talent
and professionalism would have surprised a lot of folks all too ready to dismiss
him as another bland graduate from the 'reality telly' academy.
©
Leigh Rowley, 2004