Concert Review
Howard Jones
ABC
Haircut One Hundred
Friday August 30, 2024
OLG Stage @ Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It was just another retro night at OLG stage as Howard Jones and company took everyone back to the 1980’s and the MTV British pop era. Joining Jones were ABC and Haircut One Hundred. All bands put on exceptional performances and had the crowd dancing and on their feet throughout the night.
Haircut One Hundred got the night started with a short but rapid 35-minute set. The band still consists of original members guitarist/vocalist Nick Heyward, bassist Les Nemes and guitarist Graham Jones. The band oddly enough only played songs culled from it’s debut Pelican West. A few of the songs sounded very fresh despite being from the 1982 release. “Fantastic Day” was a standout alongside of the two hits “Love Plus One” and the closer “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)”. Overall a pretty solid set albeit this marks the bands first North American tour in forty years.
ABC is another band from the 1980s who has had some success in the U.S. The band boasts five top-40 hits as well as a gold record for Lexicon of Love. Vocalist Martin Fry may be the last remaining remnant of the original band but he has put together a fabulous live lineup of stellar musicians. Songs like “The Look of Love” and “Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) sounded spot-on. While Fry is the last one left he is doing a fine job carry on the legacy of the band.
Finally it was time for Howard Jones or so we thought. It appeared technical difficulties had given us a false sign of hope. A few minutes later, the show finally resumed. Jones came out front and center as the band broke into “Pearl In The Shell”.
Jones knows great musicians and the ones he brought with him were amazing. Let’s first start off with bassist Nick Beggs. The renowned bassist is also known for his highly regarded skill in playing the Chapman Stick which is a MIDI instrument. Beggs has been enlisted to play with many bands over his lengthy career. Guitarist Robin Boult, has played with numerous artists as well over his long career. The combination of Beggs, Boult and Jones were just what the doctor ordered and put a feather in the proverbial cap with a huge exclamation point. Jones even dug into the later era of his catalog and songs such as “Eagle Will Fly Again” and “The Human Touch” were performed to a tee.
Howard Jones is still sounding on top of his game and it was great to see how this genre of music is still going strong today in a live setting. More please.
Howard Jones
ABC
Haircut One Hundred
Set Lists
Howard Jones
Pearl in the Shell
New Song
Like to Get to Know You Well
Eagle Will Fly Again
Everlasting Love / Twist and Shout
The One to Love You
Too Shy
Life in One Day
No One Is to Blame
Hide & Seek
The Human Touch
You Know I Love You, Don’t You?
What Is Love?
Encore
Things Can Only Get Better
ABC
When Smokey Sings
Show Me
(How to Be a) Millionaire
Viva Love
Poison Arrow
King Without a Crown
That Was Then but This Is Now
Vanity Kills
The Night You Murdered Love
Tears Are Not Enough @Info[Included band intros]
All of My Heart
Be Near Me
The Look of Love
Haircut One Hundred
Baked Beans
Kingsize (You’re My Little Steam Whistle)
Love’s Got Me in Triangles
Fantastic Day
Love Plus One
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
