Erasure deliver ‘electric’ show

Despite the rain and a noticeable chill in the air, the arena at Sherwood Pines was full to capacity on Friday night.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor in her bright red wellies, got the crowd suitably warmed up and singing along to her energetic set of her well-known hits. She sounded great live and looked like she was having as much fun as the rest of us.

By the time Erasure came on stage the rain had stopped and the hits started coming - Hideaway, Breath Of Life, Always, the good natured crowd loving every minute.

It was nice to see a mix of ages, with children and their parents enjoying the electric 21-song set.

Well-known for his enthusiastic stage presence Andy Bell didn’t disappoint.

He was flamboyant and engaged with the crowd, at one point telling one over excited punter to “Calm down Dear” to everyone’s delight.

The past 26 years have been relatively kind to the boys. Bell’s voice was just as strong as back in the heady days of 1985. Halfway through the set we were treated to a new song, Save Me, which was met with nods of approval from the Erasure faithful. To finish the show the forest rocked to rousing versions of A little Respect and Stop, which would have raised the roof, if there had been one. As it was I wanted to stop and do it all again.

It was a smaller and much more sombre crowd that greeting Jim Kerr’s Simple Minds on Saturday. The audience of 40-something’s took some getting going and the party atmosphere of the previous night was not in evidence. The hits Waterfront and Sanctify Yourself, kicked off the show, but as the set wore on it appeared that the band were losing the audience.

Kerr and the boys got things back on track towards the end with Promised You A Miracle and Glittering Prize. An over-milked version of Don’t You Forget About Me with a little too much audience participation helped to bring the show to an end.

by Rachel Atkins

n Visit www.worksopguardian.co.uk for a slideshow of pictures from both concerts.

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