Tom Bailey's Thompson Twins - Time has only made him better

*****

Lifting up Wembley Arena!!!

Tom Bailey's Thompson Twins ***** I have always listened to a lot of Electronic and 80's music, and always loved the albums of the Thompson Twins. I can recall so many great moments, listening to songs like the massive hits 'Doctor, Doctor' and 'Hold me Now', to their later material on the slightly different album 'Queer'. Not to mention the music he did under the name Babble, does anyone else own these albums? well I do and I enjoyed them very much.

So to be honest for me he just needed to bill his performance as Tom Bailey, but maybe not everyone knows him as just Tom Bailey. Hence why he has billed it as Tom Bailey's Thompson Twins, to make sure people know he is performing. Something in the future I think he won't need to do, because his solo music really stands out on it's on.

The first thing you notice is he has got an all girl group, and this is new era of Tom Bailey and the music of the Thompson Twins. They are all dressed in white, and look like a cross between something from a David Byrne (Talking Heads) or Robert Palmer video. Well after tonight's set by Tom Bailey, you won't be 'Addicted to Love', but be addicted to the music created by Tom Bailey.

He opens the set with the Thompson Twins hit song 'Love on your Side', with the killer build up and the incredible bass line... and infections chorus. This song sounds so big, and it's a great opening track to the set. People in the audience, that where not sure if they knew the music of the Thompson Twins... instantly realise that this is a band they have been listing to for years and loved (Even if they didn't realise it or know it).

He brings on a massive blow up balloon for 'Take me Up', and it looks almost like he is handling a planet... continuing his space age theme. His vocals sound really strong, and you can hear every word his is speaking or singing as he talks to members of the audience. You actually think he is talking to you, something I really don't know how he produces in such a big arena. This song has always been really fun, and it is no different. So as the balloon goes through the air, to the chorus of "You take me Up!" you are really having a good time... having fun.

One of the best moments in his set, is the more hard hitting track 'Lies'. Tom Bailey uses the big screens behind him, to project the songs message. Which works really well, and for an opening act is quite something. I don't think he see's himself as an opening act, and plays the same set as he would if he was headlining... just slightly shorter.

The title track from his new album 'Science Fiction' really stands up against classic material, and Tom Bailey comes across more like an 80's cross between a modern David Byrne or Howard Jones. The way he commands the stage, is quite something... I know so many major artists that have been releasing music constantly that can't do this. Tom has been away for a quite a while, and still knows how to work an audience and play to a whole arena. Even better than footage I have seen of the Thompson Twins from the 80's, you really feel a connection between him and you. 

Of course he leaves two of his biggest songs to last, the first of which 'Doctor!, Doctor!' (A track I used to play on 7 inch on repeat). Get's me singing, and is so enjoyable. Such an iconic track, which really sets the feel of the 80's... and actually a song I like more and more every time I listen to it. The opening of this song, is still as mesmorising as it was when it was first released and the chorus is Pop perfection.

Ending the set with 'Hold me Now', which the younger people in the audience will know from the motion picture 'The Wedding Singer'. This is the moment that he has actually got everyone in the audience to their feet singing every word, this was one of Thompson Twins biggest hits and a song you hear on the radio all the time at the time...  and even now. He uses really great mood lighting, to enhance the lyrics and melody of the song and to show off all it's emotion.

A lot of people I think are now really appreciating the music of the 80's more, and Thompson Twins were a big part of that. But Tom Bailey is more than just a Retro artist, his new album 'Science Fiction' is really interesting and crosses over to the new Electronic craze that is going round at the moment. So make way for the second coming of Tom Bailey, he is back and better than ever.

Tom Bailey - Setlist
------------------------------
Love on your Side
Science Fiction
Take me Up 
Lies
Lay your hands on Me
Doctor!, Doctor!
Hold me Now

Review by Dan Devour and Photo's by Dan Devour and Dezadie

Check Out! the Video for 'Doctor!, Doctor!' Below...