Michael Ball at Newcastle City Hall

~ Newcastle Evening Chronicle - 19/03/2007 by Pamela Mcgahon~

The evening opened with support act Tara Blaze singing a mix of original material and covers in a pleasant country style accompanied by an acoustic guitar.

Her version of The Darkness's I Believe In A Thing Called Love was definitely unusual!

The larger than life Michael Ball was joined on stage by a five piece brass band, two keyboards, a mini grand piano, an orchestral percussion section, drum kit and two electric guitars as well as three backing vocalists.

He opened with One Night Only, with its huge big band sound followed by the rock classic Since You've Been Gone.

His repertoire was an eclectic mix of rock classics, songs from the musicals and operas as well as a few modern chart pieces.

Taking the audience on a trip through favourites from Stop The World I Want To Get Off, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera and Kismet, Michael also threw in some favourites by Queen, Gnarls Barkley, Amy Winehouse and The Scissor Sisters.

He also told the audience he had spent two days visiting tourists destinations such as "Bamburg" (sic) Castle and Lindisfarne, where he was not a fan of the local mead.

Additional entertainment was provided by some the audience who should have taken refresher classes in learning the alphabet and counting.

Finding the right row and seat proved a challenge for these people who also left an overpowering essence of hairspray.

The front of house staff had to be on high alert throughout to prevent the taking of photographs.

A fantastic evening was had by all and it was one of the most entertaining concerts I have attended in a while.

And that's from a heavy rock fan!

Reviewed by Pamela McGahon.