My wife and I booked for this tour after seeing Rick perform a couple of excellent sets on TV last year. We were also joined by a family friend – Kelley for this gig. The ticket prices for the arena tour were also pretty good. While we would normally get tickets closer to the front, we thought we would experience the back of the arena to get the best price and save some money.
This gig was at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham and we arrived in plenty of time to eat at one of the many restaurants at the site. The support advertised also looked good with The Lottery Winners and Belinda Carlisle also performing. While I had not heard of The Lottery Winners, listening to some of their tracks on Apple Music before the gig proved that they were good. It was an enjoyable set and the front man was quite funny as well. Just a shame that the set was quite short.
I would definitely want to see them perform again and will listen to their music now.
I was quite excited to see Belinda Carlisle who has many hits under her belt. She was really good and for me, was a real highlight. A brilliant set. She did a UK tour last year and if/when she comes back, would want to see her perform her own gig. Probably the highlight of the evening for me and I particularly liked “We want the same thing” and “Summer Rain”.
My only frustration was a lot of the crowd wanted to see Belinda perform and the arena was pretty full. I was sat on the end of a row and had a load of people huddled and talking while all others were trying to enjoy. Why people cannot get to their seat in time or just stay out if not interested in the support.
The evening ran on time and Rick Astley was on for about 90 minutes. An enjoyable set. With this gig being one of the last UK tours, he certainly a lot of fans, filling UK arenas. This venue holding about 15k. He is booked for quite a few international shows. My wife particularly enjoyed this show.
The set was a mixture of 80’s Rick, newer material and some covers. I particularly enjoyed his Harry Styles cover of “As it was”. Some of his new material is also rather good, though you cannot beat some of the 80’s tracks.
If you are attending one of these gigs, plenty of merchandise is on sale for all the artists performing.
For all the setlists, see below if you do not mind spoilers.
The Lottery Winners Setlist
Ay-Oh (Queen)
Favourite Flavour
Letter To Myself
Much Better
Burning House
Belinda Carlisle Setlist
(We Want) The Same Thing
Big Big Love
I Get Weak
Circle In The Sand
Summer Rain
Live Your Life Be Free
Leave A Light On
Heaven Is A Place On Earth
Rick Astley Setlist
Never Gonna Stop
Together Forever
Beautiful Life
It Would Take A Strong Strong Man
Dipping My Feet
Keep Singin
She Wants To Dance With Me
Hold Me In Your Arms
Driving Me Crazy
As It Was (Harry Styles)
Forever And More
Cry For Help
Dance
Angels On My Side
Whenever You Need Somebody
Maria Love
Highway To Hell (AC/DC)
Never Gonna Give You Up
