Holly Johnson - Is back with maybe his best solo album!

October 1st 2014

London, Rough Trade (East), UK

****1/3

Songs from 'Europa' are a joy in London!

Holly Johnson the legendary Frankie goes to Hollywood vocalist was playing a very special instore performance at Rough trade East to celebrate releasing his first solo album in fifteen years 'Europa', which is an album of subtle Electronica tinged Pop masterpieces. Attendees for this special event paid for a copy of the brand new album 'Europa' and got this concert for FREE along with a rather spiffy remix CD. The album 'Europa' containing amazing artwork by Holly himself and is packaged very uniqully with a very cool version of the Union Jack on the front.

Holly arrived on stage looking very dapper in a dark suit and shades, and looking at him you would never believe it is thirty years since we first clapped eyes on him in the Frankie goes to Hollywood videos and liver performances. He was supported by an enthusiastic five piece band of whom only the drummer has played on the new album. but members have played in the Rewind band and even Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones' live bands. I think Holly Johnson really is an icon of the 80's and the Gay community along with singers like Boy George and Jimmy Somerville... both favourites of any fan of this decade.

They played five cuts from the new album, which all sounded incredible. The Dancey Pop beautifulness of 'Follow your Heart' which pulls at your heart strings and the slightly Erasure Esq. 'Glorious' which is co-written with the Durutti Columns' Vinni Reily. Not to mention the catchy soaring Pop single 'In and out of Love' which I just can't stop singing. These songs are backed up by the soulful inflected ballad of 'So much it Hurts' and the epic Power Pop of 'Lonesome Town', which is my favourite song from the new album and Holly says is the result of his dad listening to Country and Western music around him when he was a kid. These songs all worked well live, sounding a tad more organic than their studio counterparts and went down well with Holly’s devoted fans.

Throughout the performance Holly Johnson is very chatty and engages with the audience and you can tell he and the band are having a good time and you can see how funny he is and that he has a great sense of humour. The evening is finished with two "Blasts" from the past (see what I did there), With a well received airing of 'Americanos' from Holly’s debut album 'Blast' and the finale of the Frankie goes to Hollywood classic 'The Power of Love' which really allows Holly’s powerful voice to breathe and soar. This song is as magical as it always has been and it really ends his performance in a spectacular way.

If this isn't enough afterwards Holly Johnson met all the fans and signed their copies of the new album 'Europa' and was very friendly and chatty in the process, this was a life long dream for me and my friends... so us very special. All in all a fantastic mini special gig for the fans and really shows what everyone has in store for them later in the month when he hits the UK with with tour. I really hope to catch him again!!! and really glad I want to the Rough Trade album launch.