In the unpredictable weather conditions of Raheny, the delightful Billy Ocean optimistically initiated the show, promising to transport everyone to sunnier skies despite the gloomy weather, preceding his 1980s hit, Caribbean Queen. His appeal and polished demeanour in a striking purple three-piece suit was undoubtedly charming, and his pop and soul offerings, decidedly enjoyable.
Sharing the stage were Nile Rodgers & Chic, who, with their abundance of successful hits, left a person spoilt for choice. In fact, they offered a multitude of favourites, from Rogers’s extensive catalogue of music to the works of legendary artists like Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Madonna, David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Daft Punk. With Rodgers’ rhythmic guitar and strong bass lines, it was impossible to resist their groove-infused sound.
Then, Tom Jones, who just celebrated his 84th birthday, delivered his performances with the same thundering voice and commanding presence he’s renowned for, adjusting his classics to better align with his more experienced years. Despite the rather cold weather making the act of throwing underwear on the stage a less enticing prospect, Jones’ phenomenal voice still echoed around St. Anne’s Park, leaving one to question whether the Welsh government recognises this living legend with a special national monument grant. All in all, the atmosphere of the event was barely dampened by the weather, captivating audiences throughout.
Unquestionably, his rendition of ‘It’s Not Unusual’, featuring a gruff mid-song growl, showcased a striking charm proving he’s still very much in the game, while ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ demonstrated his ability to tackle a challenging Bacharach tune nuanced by the aura of a French street café thanks to the touch of accordion. Exhibiting bona fide country spirit were his interpretations of ‘Green, Green Grass Of Home’ and ‘Across The Borderline’, the latter being a number he had previously performed at Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday celebration. The backing band’s genius helped breathe new life into the timeworn chestnut ‘Delilah’, transforming it into a Tex-Mex murder ballad replete with edgy frontier town guitar resonance. One standout moment was the inventive reinterpretation of ‘Sexbomb’ which started as a blues lament only to morph into a swaggering shuffle reminiscent of Muddy Waters.
Although ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’ had an echo of the wedding reception dad-dancer, his impeccable selection of cover songs – Bob Dylan’s ‘Not Dark Yet’, Leonard Cohen’s ‘Tower Of Song’- was highly commendable. Rather than an evening filled crate of cheesy numbers, the audience were rewarded with a heartfelt tutorial in aging gracefully. Credit where credit is due; both performer and crowd, who despite adverse weather, remained undeterred in their quest for a memorable night.