Michael Ball: Coming Home To You

There’s always a sense of Michael Ball being a thoroughly nice guy, whether it’s in interviews or on his radio shows. The same is true of his live concert performances, he is a real charmer, no doubt a great part of his massive appeal.

But Ball is more than just the affable chap, the voice is pretty special too – and no doubt getting better with age. It has power and depth, the range is impressive and he can carry the emotions of a lyric better than almost anyone.

In a set that delivered some of his self penned new numbers there were also the obligatory hits from his many West End theatrical triumphs. Les Mis of course but also a song from Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, a number he didn’t get to sing in that particular show but one that suits him well. And of course he rocked out with You Can’t Stop The Beat from Hairspray, a show in which he returns this summer, this time  to the ENO, to revive his excellent performance as Edna Turnblad.

Finally his best loved hit as encore, Love Changes Everything, from a show that doesn’t work a song that always does.

Ball tours with a first class band, great backing vocalists and good staging. He gives his adoring fans everything they ask for. Sadly on this occasion the sound was not perfect, a little too loud and hollow for the cavernous Brighton Centre, throughout the evening it improved but it was not great, not his fault either.

8 May

The Brighton Centre

Andrew Kay

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