Chesney Hawkes - Finally plays long awaited headline show!!!

****

'The One and Only' place to be on a Friday night!!!.

Chesney Hawkes **** It's been a longtime since one of the UK most beloved treasures Chesney Hawkes, played a headline show. But 2024 saw him do just this, at the Islington, o2 Academy. With his longtime mentor Nik Kershaw and Saffron (Republica) to name a couple of his special guests, that have joined him for this unique show. I have always had a soft spot for Chesney, he lives down the road from me in Essex. And is one of the nicest people, you could ever meet. He is just a pleasure to deal with, and as a kid I have to admit he was one of my guilty pleasures.I have to say Chesney is a great songwriter, and his writing partnership with Nik Kershaw has always worked so well. But he can also write a great song on his own, sung with feeling and emotion. People too much call Chesney Hawkes a one-hit wonder, and Yes! the penned 'The One and Only' by Nik Kershaw is a classic. But ge is so much more than that, and never has been given the respect he truly deserves.

I love songs like 'John Lennon lives Here', 'Caught up in Circles' and 'Seven of Sunday', which are just something extra special. I also once in Portsmouth heard him play this song about Iceland, which I loved. Well I hope I remember this right, and it was a song about the country. Yes! the country, not the place you get your frozen goods... which I think Chesney Hawkes might have advertised at one time. In his set he plays songs from his first album 'Buddy's Song', which was the soundtrack to the film of the same name. Some new material, and covers of some of his favourite songs. I am not critising, but when he has not played a proper headline show in years. I would have wanted the show to be his own material, other than the cover of 'Ready to Go' which he did with one of his best friends Saffron (Republica), and the cover of 'Wouldn't it be Good' he did with Nik Kershaw.

He has so many great songs, that he did not play. And some of the ones he did play, were in a very short montage. So you didn't even get the full versions of them, which I would have preferred to some of the covers like 'Stacy's Mom' which was originally done by the Fountains of Wayne. I like that he has his family members in the band, like his son Indiana and his brother Jodie. The show had a great family and friends feel to it, which akes it even more special. There is a great moment when Indiana can't find his plectrum, and Chesney has a laugh with him about it. Also I have to say most of the audience have followed Chesney for years, so when he comes to the stage he is greeted by a great amount of love. A few of which were lucky to purchase tickets to his meet and greet before the show, which Sold Out!!! in record time.

And if you were lucky enough to get one of the golden tickets, then you got to hear songs like 'Another fine Mess' which was not included in the setlist and meet Nik Kershaw. Chesney beat the band James to number one with 'The One and Only', which he feels guilty for. Because they are one of his favourite bands, so plays their hit 'Sit Down' the song that got to No. 2 behind him. Followed by a song about two of his friends who's relationship drove him crazy, entitled 'The Ballad of Benny and Alice'.  One of the high points is the beautiful and high pitch version of 'Silence is Golden', which was released by Chesney Hawkes dad Chip's band The Tremeloes. This is very special because he played it for his dad who is really ill, and can't attend the show. But actually the other highlights of the set included some never heard before songs, which I have to say were incredible. And shows that Chesney has one hell of an album, that is about to come out. An album that hopefully will get him back in the charts, and in the place he deserves to be.

Chesney comes to the stage, for a two song encore. Which includes two songs, one of which is his mega No. 1 hit 'The One and Only'. Which you can guess there is a mass sing-a-long to. Concluded by a song he invites his friends to the stage for, a version of the Kaiser Chiefs song 'I predict a Riot' which is the climax to the show. I really enjoyed the show, but seeing Nik Kershaw was performing with him. I personally would have liked to have heard songs off his 1993 album 'Get the Picture', which I think really gets over looked. And actually is one I personally love, and is quite often on my iPod. If you have not heard this record, I strongly advise you do, the tone to it is incredible. I would like to see more proper headline shows from Chesney Hawkes, and less Retro festival appearances. So hopefully look out for a UK headline tour in 2025, this is what the fans are calling for.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

Chesney Hawkes - Setlist
----------------------------------------
I'm a Man, Not a Boy
Stacy's Mom (Fountains of Wayne Cover)
Nothing Serious
Nobody like You
Ready to Go (Republica Cover) (with Saffron)
Aeroplane / Secrets of the Heart / Torn in Half / John Lennon lived Here / Imagine
Meaning of This
Feel so Alive
Sit Down (James Cover)
The Ballad of Benny and Alice
Get a hold of Yourself
Wouldn't It be Good (Nik Kershaw Cover) (with Nik Kershaw)
13 (with Nik Kershaw)
Live Forever (with NIk Kershaw)
Silence is Golden (The Tremeloes cover)
-------------------------------
The One and Only (With Nik Kershaw)
I Predict a Riot (Kaiser Chiefs Cover) (with all Guests)

Check Out! the Video for 'The One and Only' Below...