The Spandau Ballet documentary ‘Soul Boys of The Western World’ is the story of five boys from north London who grew up together, formed a band together, toured the world together, fell out, got back together again, and then toured the world together. Again.
Soul Brothers Of The Western World is a warts-and-all documentary about one of the most successful groups of the 80s. There is a fair amount of video footage from the early days – the late 70s – when Spandau Ballet were considerably more punk than the soulful, New Romantic lads we came to know and love. And still love, if the screaming from the crowd at Hamer Hall tonight is any indication.
Singer Tony Hadley, saxophonist and guitarist (and someone who happened to look rather good in Speedos) Steve Norman, and drummer John Keeble took chief songwriter and guitarist Gary Kemp to court in 1999 for a share of the songwriting royalties. Gary’s bassist brother Martin was torn between supporting his sibling and his three close friends and wisely chose to stay out of it.
Gary won, but as he stated, he “lost his band”.
Fast forward some years and all appears rosy again, with a new Very Best Of album containing three new tracks produced by Trevor Horn.
The boys came out on stage at the film’s end to rapturous applause and undertook a Q&A with members of the audience.
Gary thanked Australia for being with them since ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’, and Steve, when asked if Spandau Ballet had mellowed, replied, “We have loads of energy. It’s a two-way thing – the louder you scream, the more we bounce up and down”.
We were then treated to a brief but tight performance of five of their biggest hits.
Songs played:
Through The Barricades (Through The Barricades, 1986)
To Cut A Long Story Short (Journeys To Glory, 1980)
Only When You Leave (Parade, 1984)
Chant No: 1 (Diamond, 1982)
True (True, 1983)
Spandau Ballet will tour Australia in May 2015. Check the dates here.
