Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. February 2009.

China Crisis stood out in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s for their intelligent songs and almost whimsical lyrics which kept them in the hearts of their dedicated fans.

The duo, Eddie Lunden and Gary Daly, are two of the nicest people in pop, very laid back and happy to play to an appreciative audience.

They opened a very good set with The Soul Awakening and the ironic Best Kept Secret when Gary Daly teased the crowd by politely ordering a glass of Chardonnay to sip during the show.

Debut single African and White, from the album Difficult Shapes and Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It’s Fun To Entertain, is one of the band’s most beautiful songs and left the crowd awestruck.

The stand out song of the night though was their top ten hit Wishful Thinking which proved how good this band still is.

China Crisis finished their night with the dreamlike encore Christian.

Ian D. Hall