Tom Bailey  Buxton Opera house – 24/ 9/26

On 1/2/81 I saw the  original Thompson Twins support U2 at the London Lyceum and triumph. I have followed them ever since into the commercial success of Mk2 with Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway  seeing them live several times at Wembley Arena and Leicester de Monfort hall. My wife was a big fan.

My affection was won during the agitpop years, but I couldn’t help be pulled  by the melodious songs and quirky arrangements of Mk2. Not all of it worked but sufficient did to make them one of the more successful 80’s synth based acts. It was the visuals of the trio which engaged in the Smash Hits poster era.

Forty five years on I approached the show with some trepidation. Tom sans  Alannah and Joe has now become Mk3  Would the songs stand up? Would the band be any good? Would Alannah and Joe be missed? Can Tom still do it?

A 902 seat sell out. The band, On keyboards/cello, Charlotte Raven. On drums, Paulina Szczepaniak. On bass/keyboards, Meelie Trail  aka Liz Truss!

Th embryonic band saw their first gig at Buxton and in an act of warm nostalgia Tom invited Pete Dodd and John Roog on guitars to join him and the band for a romping cover of “Revolution”, there wasnt a dry eye in the house, and the woman sat next to me was in Tom’s Junior school class!

Setlist

In the Name of Love

Science Fiction

Day After Day

Play Video

Shooting Star

We Are Detective

he Gap

Sister of Mercy

Lay Your Hands on Me

If You Were Here

Lies

Psycho Killer

King for a Day

Doctor! Doctor!

Revolution

Encore:

Love on Your Side

Hold Me Now