Nik Kershaw - Brings his '1984' tour to London

*****

'The Riddle' to 'Human Racing' + more.

Nik Kershaw ***** finishes his '1984' UK tour in London, with a very special night at the Shepherds Bush, o2 Empire. The '1984' tour see's him playing songs from his first two solo records 'Human Racing' and 'The Riddle', which both came out in 1984. Yes! 1984 was a very good year for Nik Kershaw, with him moving on from his work with the Funk band Fusion. The thing I have always liked about Nik Kershaw is that he can mix up Pop / Funk / Rock / Prog and Electronica, in a very chart friendly package. And the fact he is one of the most talented guitarists / singer / songwriters around to this day, I don't think people realise how good a songwriter Nik actually is. 

Well he has penned songs for so many Pop and Rock artist, that I would be here all day telling you about it. I do advise you look into this though, because I think you will be very surprised. He has also influenced artists that include Marilyn Manson / Placebo and Ed Sheeran to name a few. With Ed Sheeran who is also from Ipswich using Nik's signature loop pedal ideas in his own music, I really don't think Ed would have made it to fame... if it wasn't for Nik's ideas. I used to work in a record store, and they used to mock me for my love of Nik. But these same people have now realised, how bigger impact he had on the music World. And are now fans themselves, I really don't think they properly listened to the music. Some people are like sheep, they will only like something if someone else tells them to like it. 

And with every show on the Nik Kershaw '1984' tour being a Sell Out!!!, I think the word has got out again about how good Nik actually is. Also maybe it is because of his brilliant last record 'Oxymoron' which got some attention, when it was released. With songs being played on rotation on some radio stations, and also the fact people have realised that Nik wrote the No.1 hit 'The One and Only' for Chesney Hawkes. Which you get to hear, and sing-a-long to at the end of his set.  The songs from 'Human Racing' and 'The Riddle' are not played in album track order, which is a shame. But fans do get three bonus songs in the encore, 'The Sky's the Limit', 'The One and Only' and my personal favourite 'When a heart Beats'... which was released as a single around the time of 'The Riddle'. This song I have known to sing very loudly with friends, in the pub. When I actually go to the pub, which is not very often because I don't really drink.

Highlights of the evening in London has to be the amazing version of 'Shame on You', which had a response at the end of screams... that took us all back to NIK fever in the 80's. And an amazing version of 'Save the Whale', a song that isn't heard that much in his normal set. But this was an evening of so many high points, and great musicianship. At times you actually think you are listening to the record, and that is quite something. Especially the bass skills of Paul Geary on 'Gone to Pieces' and 'Easy', the later which bass line was originally done by Mark King (Level 42) who is considered to be one of the best bass players in the World. We all love a bit of Funk bass, and this is it at it's best.

The crowd has a lot of old faces in it, fans that have followed NIK for years, but also alot of new faces... which is really nice to see. I think a new generation has found the music of Nik Kershaw. And actually they don't seem to care if it's album or single tracks, because the album tracks are greated as well as the singles if not better. This really is one of Nik's finest moments, and it's about time. Nik is one of the most talented artists around, and he deserves so much more respect than he got in the late 90's. And his show at the London, Shepherds Bush, o2 Empire really showed that, and his last album 'Oxymoron' was a work of genius. I think Nik Kershaw has a lot more instore for 2025, so watch this space... and look out for his intimate special tour.

Review by Dan Devour

Nik Kershaw - Setlist
-----------------------------------
Roses
Know How
Wide Boy
City of Angels
Easy
Don Quixote
Wild Horses
You Might
Save the Whale
The Riddle
Cloak and Dagger
Human Racing
Bogart
Dancing Girls
Shame on You
Gone to Pieces
Wouldn't It Be Good
Faces
Drum Talk
I won't let the sun go down on Me
-----------------------------------------
When a heart Beats
The Sky's the Limit
The One and Only

Check Out! the Video for 'Wouldn't it be Good' Below...