The first thing that strikes you is the reaction. It’s exactly 8:45 pm, and the band walks on. There’s no fanfare. They are followed by their leader. And let’s be honest here, there’s a reception that suggests Birmingham has been eagerly waiting for this. Nik Kershaw’s return to the stage has clearly been anticipated.
Back in 1984, before Bon Jovi came along and changed my life, Nik Kershaw was my favorite. Here’s the truth: I hadn’t listened to him for a long time. When I did, I was amazed at how many songs I still knew. To be honest, when I listened to the set on a playlist before the gig, I was also surprised at how many albums he had released post-“Comeback,” if you will. I wonder how many people here have similar stories to share?
He played three songs – “Come On Down,” which was understated, “Radio Musicola,” which was funky and fun, and “Wide Boy” from the early days – before he spoke to the crowd. “No glitz,” he said, “because none of us have made an effort, just hitz because I’m not stupid, and other bitz…”
And thus, the tone is set. It’s the “Other Bitz” that surprise. They are excellent. “The Chosen Ones” from his latest album, the Latin infusion of “Can’t Get Arrested,” and the like stack up amazingly well. You probably don’t need me to tell you how good “The Riddle” and the like are, right?
There are deep dives to go with the “hits.” “Cowboys And Indians” is billed as “an obscure album track from an obscure album,” and it’s only when the acoustic guitar comes out for “Swings And Roundabouts” that you get a sense of how accomplished Kershaw is as a guitar player.
There’s a real sense of fun about this too. The band all look like they’re having a good time, and that is underlined by “Wounded.”
Of course, there are the hits. And lots of them. My goodness, how they’ve stayed fresh. The best songs always do, I guess. If I’m a little unsure about “Don Quixote” when I’m with Mrs. Kershaw (you had to be there), then “Wouldn’t It Be Good” and “I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” are classics (and that’s not hyperbole).
There are two more of the hits for an encore. “Roses” from “The Riddle” album and “The One And Only.” Maybe it was just me who didn’t know that Kershaw wrote it, but here we are, and I do know it provided a raucous ending.
It’s one of those nights when nostalgia turns into something else. You hesitate to use the word “underrated” as it’s a cliché, but for an hour and 45 minutes here, you are witnessing a career that still stacks up with anyone’s from that era.
