Review: Kim Wilde brings her ‘Closer’ tour to Cambridge
Pop queen Kim Wilde, who first made her name for herself in music back in the early 80s, put out her most recent - and very well-received - album, Closer, in January.
Her Closer tour came to Cambridge on Tuesday (18 March) and the packed-out concert featured a healthy mix of old and new material.
First up, there was a support slot for fellow 80s icons Cutting Crew, whose signature song (I Just) Died in Your Arms is one of the all-time greatest power ballads. Needless to say, it drew an impassioned reaction when it was played tonight.
Backed by a superb five-piece band, which included her brother Ricky Wilde, and energetic backing vocalist, Scarlett Wilde - Ricky’s daughter and Kim’s niece - Ms Wilde came out looking great all dressed in black.
Hey Mister Heartache, a hit from 1988 with which I was unfamiliar, kicked off her set. It’s a top tune and was an ideal opener.
Kim announced that she would be playing some old songs, some new songs, songs from her classic 1988 album, Close, and some off the new album, which drew cheers from the crowd.
“That’s the right response!,” she joked, telling the highly appreciative audience: “Sit down, stand up, do whatever you want to do!”
Next up was my favourite Kim Wilde song, You Came (also from 1988), and it was a real treat to finally see it performed live. What a song it is!
Making it three-in-a-row from Close was the anthemic Never Trust a Stranger, which I liked, but not quite as much as the previous two.
The likeable star then turned to the new album, performing the electro-pop single, Trail Of Destruction, and the euphoric Midnight Train.
Kim noted that the tracks were from the new album and revealed that BBC Radio 2 had started playing her music again. “I thought those days had long gone!,” she laughed.
She added that great things had started happening to her when she turned 60. “Don’t knock it, those of you who haven’t got there yet, there’s plenty to look forward to,” she said, “especially the ladies!”
The singer suggested the revellers might want to sit down and rest their knees for the next song, a heartfelt ballad - from Close - titled Love’s A No. The emotive You’ll Be The One Who’ll Lose, also from Close, was another highlight.
Scarlett Wilde, a singer-songwriter in her own right, was given the chance to shine on Hourglass Human and the exhilarating Love Is Love (another new song) also sat well alongside the 80s classics.
Kim invited us to go back to the 80s and played some songs from early on in her career - the melodic Cambodia, the frenetic Water on Glass, the synth-heavy View from A Bridge, and the catchy Chequered Love.
She warmly expressed her happiness, gratitude and disbelief that after “40-something years”, there were still people out there who wanted to see her perform.
The singer’s soulful cover of The Supremes’ You Keep Me Hangin’ On closed the main set, before she came back out for two final tracks.
Scorpio is another new song, yet sounds like it comes straight from the 80s, and then it was time for Kim’s debut single, released way back in 1981 - Kids in America, on which the crowd enthusiastically joined in.
Much more than just a pleasant trip down Memory Lane, Kim Wilde proved tonight beyond a doubt that she still has plenty more to offer in the way of new music - and I advise you to catch one of the tour’s remaining dates.
For more information, and to check on tour dates, visit kimwilde.com.
