But first we had a support act in the form of Cardiff band - The Vanities - Rhys Bradley - (Vocals/Guitar) and Adam Hill (bass/keyboards)
The boys have been around for some time now and started off as a rather 80s influenced electronic band but tonight they appear with acoustic guitars some old songs and a change of direction with the newer songs.
I'd never heard of them before but I have to say I was pretty impressed with their newer material.
They started with a song called (I think) Hollywood Hills. Animals & Red Leaves followed, then their single, London.
I've chosen old song Space Tourist and new song Private Army to show you the breadth of their sound/material.
Space Tourist
Private Army
They finished their short set with High Rising. I would like to see them in their own show, especially with the newer songs.
After a short break we have the arrival of Peter Cox and his band. Considering his 80s pedigree and lack of hair (join the club) I must say he looks as fit as a butcher's dog these days. Toned and tanned he was just the ticket for the many ladies present in tonight's audience. Tonight was the first of 2 days at Acapela so I was interested how his voice was sounding these days. I had no need to worry as he sounds fabulous. He still has that burr to his voice that made it so distinctive back in the day.
I'm sorry I can't say who his band were, that's due more to my hearing than Peter's inability because he DID introduce the band. I caught a couple of the names but it would be unfair to highlight these as they were all exemplary tonight.
And one more thing, it wasn't a Go West Greatest Hits Show - Peter wisely concentrated on his solo material which was a great decision as his solo material is at least a match for his Go West songs and in many cases, even better as I hope I've shown with the videos of the songs he played tonight within this review.
First up we get the opener of his latest album Seaglass. the uptempo Too Far Gone which is as good as his older Go West material. this had the audience up and waving. I also need to mention a good few fans who had travelled from over the bridge in that England to support their man in foreign lands, Seriously, he had great support from some hardcore fans tonight who sang the words of every song,
Too Far Gone
Next up we have the second track from Seaglass, We Want Magic, again another banging tune in the vein of his 80s heyday. Got to say I was well impressed with his new material.
She Wants Magic
Things We Never Did another track from Seaglass comes next. Another uptempo slice of gorgeousness.
With the current resurgence in the sounds of the 80s, it's great to hear Peter's current set of songs clearly influenced by his best known years. If you hear the new album on headphones, as I am now writing this review you can clearly hear these influences and the studio magic like the stereo panning. Nice touch for this aged blogger to enjoy.
Then, with no fanfare we are straight into the first Go West song of the evening, Call Me. Here you can see what a good decision getting two female backing vocalists was. The sound at Acapela is always good and tonight with this band it was exceptional. The crowd obviously lifted the roof on the chorus to the song.
Call Me
After that powerful set of songs it was time for the first ballad of the evening in the form of If You Walk Away which had the ladies swooning. Peter's voice certainly suits a ballad and once again a high five to the ladies on backing vocals for doing such a great job on this track.
If You Walk Away
Peter stayed with his eponymous 1997 album for the next track, the once again uptempo Change.
In fact, the main part of the show was uptempo which always helps the audience has a good time.
Seaglass's Brave New World comes next, keeping the uplifting feel.
But variety is the spice of life as we come to the next ballad from the same album - One More Kiss.
Peter's voice held up well throughout the evening, his vocals strong and clear.
One More Kiss
We return to the new album Seaglass next for another banger, Dream Burning Down.
It's surprising how fresh the new material sounds considering it's obvious 80s sonic influences. Peter enlisted former Go West producer Gary Stevenson to produce the new album - in this case, a stroke of genius as he's taken the best of Peter and pushes it forward while retaining a familiarity in the music, especially the keyboard sounds, recreated so well tonight.
Dream Burning Down
It's about time for another Go West tune and the band obliges with a blistering We Close Our Eyes
We Close Our Eyes
To keep the energy up Peter revisits the 2013 album Damn The Brakes for opener Stilletos a right rocker of a track. With the crowd now bouncing it was time for the final track on Seaglass, another cracking tune called Confidante, which had the audience singing along to a brand new song. Always a good sign. A strong way to open a very fine album - I was going to get a signed copy on vinyl but the crowd was so large at the merch table I didn't get a chance. Always buy from the artist directly at a gig if you can Music Lovers.
Next up we have 'the encore' but nobody leaves the stage in Acapela, too much of a fuss. So it's the Big US hit, King Of Wishful Thinking of which Peter acknowledges the luck of getting onto the Pretty Woman movie soundtrack. But it's funny how luck is attracted to good people. Be proud Peter, it was a splendid achievement.
King Of Wishful Thinking
Next up was just Peter and the keyboard player playing November - the best ballad on Seaglass, You could have heard a pin drop but it was a fabulous performance and got a huge round of applause,
But there was one more excellent song left - from 1997 the excellent I Ain't Gonna Cry Again.
This prompted another standing ovation and the end of the show.
Ain't Gonna Cry Again
So the end of a fantastic evening of music. Peter Cox - with a fabulous new album - a collection of quality solo material that mist of today's wannabes would kill for and a voice tat is still strong and shines like a beacon in a multitude of anonymous vocalist out there pretending to be stars.
Peter, you've still got it. Just keep up the good work and release some more music in the future - and come back to Acapela obviously.
Sometimes, if you're really lucky, someone from up above shines a light on you and bestows some goodness your way. Mark Shaw is one such man, not only did he inherit a beautiful face, he also inherited a more than decent voice. From the moment he nonchalantly ambled onto stage tonight he was every inch the STAR, OK, he may be older (aren't we all) and lost the glow of youth but those cheekbones could still cut silk and that voice is as powerful as ever.
I'd been looking forward to this gig since it was announced as I didn't get a chance to see him live back in 1987 when he really hit it big. but just to hear Sugar Box live - for me one of THE best songs of the 80s - would be enough. But he gave SO much more.
Mark brought a friend for the evening - Ollie Brum played a guitar with a multiple of looped pedals and effects which gave layers to the songs throughout the evening. Acoustic at Acapela is always the perfect choice.
Mark has only released one album following the 2 first Then Jerico albums - and album called Almost back in 1991 and chose his opening song from this album - Love So Bright. It's a splendid album and I really have no idea why it didn't give him the solo career her deserved at that point. The God of Music moves in mysterious ways.
Love So Bright
Throught the night, Mark concentrated on songs from the first two Then Jerico albums and Always. I won't state which album they are from, if you're a fan you'll know, if not just go look it up!
What Does It Take managed to retain it's power with Ollie and his box of tricks and especially Mark's voice which was now warming up nicely. The album track had Belinda Carlisle singing on it, tonight we had the Acapela Audience instead.
What Does It Take
It's hard to imagine, you may have be had to be there back in the day but especially on second album, The Big Area, ANY of those tracks would have made a great single and the quality of the songs on that album in particular sound fabulous tonight. Stripped of their production sheen gives another aspect to these songs which most people haven't heard before, unless they've seen this acoustic show.
Tracks in Part 1 of the show such as Song For The Broken Hearted, A Quiet Place and Helpless really showed the quality those two early albums had. Surely Cherry Red must see some value in doing a decent rerelease as they've done with the Haircut100 album Pelican West - get on it guys!
To the comment of 'now for some decent song writing' Mark embraced his inner Camp and gave a stunning performance of Bowie's Jean Genie which is NOTHING like the original, Thank God. Mick Ronson's riffs would sound shite om an acoustic, trust me.
It's then time for another track from Mark's solo album, Always - so we are treated to Tidal Wave
Tidal Wave
Part 1 closes with the uptempo Reelin'
What the public don't see is the sense of humour Mark has throughout the evening which is the total opposite of his cool Rock Star image but allowed the audience to take him to their heart for the evening and beyond no doubt.
Reelin'
After a short break it was time for Part 2 as Mark came on fully dressed once more and this time donning some shades and gave us a beautiful performance of Let Her Fall
Let Her Fall
In 1998, Mark brought back Then Jerico for one album - Orgasmophobia. Perhaps not the best title but he did perform one song from it tonight - Some People.
Some People
We then turn to some of the better known songs. First up Muscle Drop and then Where You Lie
As I said at the beginning, the next song is one of my All Time Favourites - the gorgeous Sugar Box.
Tonight he had the added help on vocals from Bari Goddard who is an artist, photographer and vocalist of the band Knives. It's a special song and brought back so many happy memories for this aged blogger
Sugar Box
The Motive keeps the audience at boiling point and I must say the Acapela audience was in fine voice tonight.
The song that Mark thought most of the audience were waiting for ended the show - the fabulous Big Area.
Big Area
So there was no way on earth that the boys were going to get out without an encore.
Darkest Hour gave way to Mark's favourite song - Bari was brought back onstage and they launched into an energetic version of The Rolling Stones classic - Sympathy For The Devil complete with the audience Whoo Whooing it right to the very end.
I thought Mark's first visit to The Chapel was a triumph. As my legs have now given up on me and my domestic circumstances mean I cannot leave South Wales for gigs, I may never see Mark again.
I hope he takes the same path as one of my biggest musical heroes, Nick Heyward and continue to work on new material. He definitely still has the voice. Let's hope that this new activity in the Then Jerico or Mark Shaw camp prompts him in that direction again. And hopefully he will play Acapela again. And this time I will shake his hand and thank him, if only for Sugar Box.
