Project Description
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TOM BAILEY
+ Chris Murphy
@ The Astor Perth
30th October 2022
(Live Review)
Review by Melanie Griffiths
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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The Thompson Twins burst onto the music scene in the early 80s with a top 10 album and several successful singles. They even appeared at the iconic Live Aid concert with rising star Madonna playing the tambourine for the trio. Yet for all those notable achievements, John Hughes’ selection of their song “If You Were Here” on the 16 Candles soundtrack really points to the pop-cultural validity of the group. Whilst the band name may give you a moment of pause, their music is one broad stroke of what defined the true sound of the 80s.
Frontman and songwriter Tom Bailey’s flame-haired appearance and steely gaze have given way to a more subdued distinguished grey but his ability to deliver a show that landed all the right punches hasn’t diminished.
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Chris Murphy // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Chris Murphy // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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The seating at the Astor was practically filled on the floor as fans promptly arrived for the 7.15pm start allowing local musician Chris Murphy to wind the crowd up with a set that promoted his new EP “No Matter How Far Away”. He proved to be a hit as he parried from cracking jokes to playing songs like Everybody Wants Her and a cover of “Don’t Need Love” by Johnny Diesel & The Injectors.
The energetic crowd was a good sign for what was to come as Bailey’s band, three women dressed as futuristic scientists, took their place on drums, keys and bass. Beginning with “In The Name of Love” and then followed by his solo “Science Fiction” Bailey unashamedly embraced songs featuring synth-pop chords, electronic stabs and heavy percussive elements that Bailey beat out on a drum machine. The sound being indulgently retro rather than dated.
Touted as the “Into The Gap” tour which Bailey would play front to back, many in the crowd were edging forward in anticipation. However, Bailey took his time getting there, instead having some fun by playing “Lies” from Quick Step & Side Kick (1983) and “Lay Yor Hands” from “Here’s To Future Days” (1985). Bailey took centre stage singing with a Madonna mic freeing up his hands to play or just sermon to the crowd. Dressed in white and wearing tinted glasses like he was indeed at the pulpit many of Bailey’s songs are driven by gospel-inspired structures. Rising verses that crested to big choir-like choruses with titles like “You Take Me Up”, “Lay Your Hands” and even “Sisters of Mercy”.
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Showing their fondness for Bailey’s music, some fans stood on their feet swaying and singing, and by the time he rolled out a version of “Talking Head’s” “Psycho Killer”, he’d won over the crowd. Whilst Bailey might be a little older, the singer-songwriter’s vocals still held up, merely coming across a little more flinty in place but even so the delivery coupled with the “all in” approach by his capable band gave the concert an unexpected energy for an artist that hadn’t toured Australia in 36 years.
When he did dip into the seminal 1984 album “Into The Gap” the crowd couldn’t have asked for more. Playing full-length albums can be a tedious exercise for a live performance but there were enough notables to carry the audience through more subdued numbers like “Storm On The Sea”. Bailey also wisely left his biggest songs for last to end the night on a high, the quirky electro “Doctor! Doctor!” which replicated the full sound of the studio version and then the epochal “Hold Me Now”; an affirmation of being in love even when faced with feelings of helplessness. Its simple confused sentiment, bold chorus, clunky percussion and romantic melodic synths ensured it remains a mainstay in the lexicon of 80s music. Fans sang loudly until Bailey’s final bow hiding the fact the song lacked the falsetto punch it needed to truly make it shine.
With a catalogue of hits and a stage performance that still endures Bailey may want to consider touring again, and hopefully we won’t have to wait another 30-plus years.
3 / 5 stars
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Check out Pete Gardner’s full gallery of this event HERE
Check out Glen Morgan’s full gallery of the Sydney event HERE
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Follow TOM BAILEY
(THOMPSON TWINS)
Website – Facebook – iTunes – YouTube
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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Tom Bailey // Photo – Pete Gardner Photography
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