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.
Was there and truly awesome, saw Peter in 87 as part of Go West and his voice as good and as distinctive as it always was.
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