Heaven 17 at Shepherds Bush Empire

I always enjoy a Heaven 17 gig. Despite the fact they are in their mid sixties now, they have just worked out how to deliver a perfect gig for their advancing years. Unfortunately this was in stark contrast to their support act, Peter Coyle of the Lotus Eaters (who is the same age as me). The problem was he tried to bounce around like he was a young man, when he definitely isn't. And his voice is passable at best, so as a solo artist that doesn't impress. And the Lotus Eaters really only had one hit - The First Picture of You - which he milked with endless repetitions of the chorus. Its tough being a hasbeen when you had never been much in the first place.

In stark contrast were Heaven 17. They are at one and the same time a much more serious outfit, but also with a sense of humour, seeming not to take themselves too seriously. Typified by Martyn Ware's magnificent suit. Lets just say you couldn't put it through the washing machine!

While Glenn Gregory still has a great voice at 68, they are always augmented by amazingly good female backing singers supplying soaring vocals, especially on their greatest song, Temptation. Glenn keeps the audience amused with anecdotes, easier to do if you are a witty intelligent man as he clearly is. The result is a magnificent evening's entertainment. Just sad that it is such an aged crowd - they haven't attracted a younger following sadly. They deserve to.