David Essex at the Spa
David EssexSpa Pavilion, FelixstoweAGEING pop star David Essex would have certainly noticed that his fans had grown older gracefully with him.Although his music is not exactly my cup of tea, I couldn't disagree that the former pop pin-up who rocketed to fame in the mid-70s knows how to captivate his audience.
David Essex
Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe
AGEING pop star David Essex would have certainly noticed that his fans had grown older gracefully with him.
Although his music is not exactly my cup of tea, I couldn't disagree that the former pop pin-up who rocketed to fame in the mid-70s knows how to captivate his audience.
However his charm did not extend to letting Evening Star photographer John Kerr take too many pictures. Mr Kerr was only at the show for two numbers before being escorted from the hall despite the rest of the audience being allowed to take photographs.
The show opened with the smash hit Hold Me Close and Essex gave a powerful performance proving that age has not hindered his voice.
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He commanded the stage throughout his one and an half-hour show and his predominately female fans were treated to a night to remember.
What it is about David Essex that makes so many women go weak at the knees is a mystery to me and it showed as I was probably the only who didn't get up and dance.
Perhaps it is his laid-back approach of hand in his pocket and elbow on knee, which I perhaps mistook for arrogance. But to his ardent fans its this casual, unruffled and take it or leave attitude which they so love. As a performer he certainly knows his audience and more importantly what they like.
The 70s heartthrob who has adorned the bedroom walls of countless teenagers down the years may have wanted to sing all the tracks from his latest album and forget all those old favourites that he must have sung millions of times. But ever the professional, and always with that cheeky twinkle in his eye, he knows his audience better than that.
The Spa audience heard a few tracks from his new album Forever, for which I personally wasn't over impressed with, but his classic golden oldies definitely got the audience rocking and pausing occasionally to make sure they were singing along with him.
A Winter's Tale, Gonna Make You A Star, Oh what a Circus and Silver Dream Machine were the songs that pulled the bums off the seats and saw hips swaying and arms flung in the air and people dancing in the aisles.
David Essex was at his best singing Oh What a Circus from the hit-musical Evita combining the drama of theatre with song.
In a night of nostalgia skiffle king Lonnie Donegan of 50s and 60s fame appeared at the Ipswich Regent.
N Tonight another big name from the world of music is appearing at The Regent in Ipswich.
Bryan Ferry will be performing in front of a sell-out audience.
Georgina James
