Belinda Carlisle in Bristol - Colston Hall gig review

Posted on: 2015-10-08

Our rating:

Belinda Carlisle, looking suitably glamorous and sounding just the same as ever, delivered an exuberant and energetic performance strutting across the stage twirling her tambourine and whirling like a dervish as she belted out classic hit after hit.



Eighties singing sensation Belinda Carlisle took to the stage at Bristol’s Colston Hall on Wednesday 7th October and from the very first song whipped the crowd into a frenzy of excitement that was to last throughout the concert. The front rows were on their feet, up and dancing after the first few bars and were soon joined by the rest of the delighted crowd, myself included.

Midway through a short UK tour made up of just 6 dates, Carlisle is promoting her latest CD hits collection; Belinda Carlisle- The CD Singles 1986-2014; an epic and comprehensive 29-disc CD box set including all her worldwide top 40 singles along with a collection of rare B-sides and live tracks. A real treat for true fans, and there were clearly many of those in the Bristol audience.

Belinda Carlisle at Colston Hall in Bristol on 7 October 2015

In a career which began over 30 years ago Belinda Carlisle has demonstrated remarkable staying power since starting out as lead singer of the Go-Go’s, an (at the time) innovative and sassy all girl guitar band who illustrated the concept of ‘girl power’ well before the arrival of the Spice Girls. Displaying a wholesome charm alongside a generous dash of archetypal eighties attitude Belinda Carlisle was seen as something of a role model for young girls everywhere, and was spring-boarded to solo success with songs such as Circle in the Sand and Leave a Light On. A well-publicised battle with drink and drugs followed before an epiphany and move to a clean-living lifestyle of holistic therapies and sobriety. This reformation has certainly paid off, as today she is full of vitality and showing a real zest for life.

It was these old original songs the Colston Hall crowd were there to hear; songs that took us middle aged folk back on a wave of nostalgia to the time when our younger selves thought anything was possible and life was just as is appeared in the sugary pop lyrics of the songs she was sharing.

Carlisle did not disappoint. Looking suitably glamorous and sounding just the same as ever she delivered an exuberant and energetic performance strutting across the stage twirling her tambourine and whirling like a dervish as she belted out classic hit after classic hit; beautifully showcasing her unique style of intense and compelling vocalising, emotional lyrics and catchy melodies. The crowd were ecstatic as they too demonstrated great gusto, jubilantly joining in with the original numbers; Mad About You, Vision of You, In Too Deep, Runaway Horses, Summer Rain, La Luna…they were all there.

By the time we got to the end of set with a powerful rendition of Heaven is a Place on Earth, the crowd were pretty much convinced that for the length of the song at least that was indeed the case. Rounding off with an encore made up of the Go-Go’s classic We Got The Beat and a rousing rendition of Live Your Life Be Free this was the perfect end to the perfect evening and very clearly showed that Belinda Carlisle has lost none of her charm and eighties appeal.

This was a truly fabulous evening’s entertainment, giving the audience the opportunity to reminisce, relive their youth and enjoy some joyful, uplifting music. As for me, this was the soundtrack to my childhood and I have to say I absolutely adored every minute of this tremendously fun gig.

5/5

Sarah-Jane Howard for The Bristol Website where local information matters

Belinda Carlisle live at Bristol's Colston Hall on Wednesday 7 October 2015



Article by:

James Anderson

Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.