Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 10th 2011.

L.S. Media Rating ****

There can be no doubting Chris DeBurgh’s appeal and delight in performing to a crowd of fans, old and new alike, his amiable and very likeable character not only come across when he is talking to the audience about his life but also in the way he presents his music. Completely professional with just the right of Gaelic charm that has endeared him to audiences world-wide, even places where other artists’ would back away from playing, Chris DeBurgh makes sure that nobody is disappointed when they leave one of his sold out nights.

It was one of those nights when there really was something for everyone. To the old fan who remembers his very Rock orientated music, to the lovers of the ballad who may have only wanted to hear one song, even if it was just the once, through to his last album Moonfleet and other stories and the sneak preview of a couple of songs off his new album Footprints 2, throughout it all though is the weaving and magnificent story telling that Chris DeBurgh does so well.

Chris opened the entertaining evening with some of the tracks of the Moonfleet album, one of the finest pieces of recoded musical theatre put down, as Chris played through tracks such as Light on the Bay, the incredible Have A Care and Go Where Your Heart Believes it was evident that Chris was doing something very special for the audience of a city he adores.

The evening wasn’t all about showcasing the last album; there were song from almost every era of Chris’s career, including the punchy and spooky tale of Spanish Train, Missing You, a wonderful reading of Toto’s Africa and even a homage to the late John Lennon with Chris playing tracks by the Beatles including Penny Lane.

The evening was greatly enhanced by the graphics that were on show during the show, one of the finest backdrops seen at the Philharmonic and the designer must be congratulated for making them so entertaining and relevant to each song.

During the set Chris went for a small walkabout, greeting those that had parted with well-earned money in these austere times, for some Lady in Red remains his greatest composition and it showed as the audience went wild with appreciation for their hero.

A wonderful performance by Chris DeBurgh, full of emotion, wit and passion.

Ian D. Hall