Putting most artists half his age to shame, Tony Christie, now 82, brought a hefty dose of old-fashioned entertainment to the Gosforth Civic Theatre.
Navigating both his age and one of the coldest nights in recent memory, Christie proved himself the consummate professional – his voice still soars, his stage presence remains precise, and his suits are as sharp as ever.
Playing to a sold-out venue on what is billed as his “Great Farewell” tour, Christie delivered a polished 90-minute set. Opening with the classic ‘Walk Like a Panther’, the show balanced timeless hits such as ‘Las Vegas’ and ‘Don’t Go Down to Reno’ with recent tracks like ‘Just Like Yesterday’ and the Richard Hawley-produced ‘Danger Is a Woman in Love’. Highlights also included numerous covers, with a spectacular rendition of ‘Mr Bojangles’ standing out.
Supported by a four-piece band, including a pedal steel guitarist, Christie’s sound leans towards acoustic and, particularly, country, giving his repertoire a warm, authentic feel.
Moving seamlessly through old and new material, Christie remains in fine form. Inspirational, entertaining, and utterly professional, this was an evening that proved age is no barrier to excellence.
