The Summer Sessions event at the Hoe in Plymouth kicked off on June 13th, and what a way to launch a series of four live music events! Tonight saw TOM JONES on stage doing what he does best, entertaining massive audiences and this was true tonight as thousands of people attended the Hoe for a great evening of entertainment. 

Let’s address the elephant in the room, the good old British weather. We enjoyed a dry spell leading up to the shows, even on the morning of the show, we saw blue skies and a few clouds. Come late morning, the clouds started to leak and by mid-afternoon, it was raining.... hard. We arrived onsite just before 4pm to get our passes and it was coming in sideways. It was no surprise that they decided to delay the gate opening until 6pm, when the weather was set to improve, off into Plymouth we went for milkshakes and fries (yippee!) 

We returned at 5:30pm and joined the queue. Luckily, my esteemed photographer was whisked away by a member of the production team to shoot the opening act (Stone Foundation) whilst I stood in the queue to get into the site. It was a shame that I didn't get in until they had finished their set, but they sounded great and brought their unique blend of soul and rock to the Summer Sessions stage, wowing the security staff (and my photographer) with their energetic set. Tracks like ‘Back in the Game’ and ‘Strange People’ showcased their musical chops, earning them cheers and applause from the enthusiastic audience that were shuffling into the arena. 

Following Stone Foundation was the ever-charming Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Dressed in a sequinned jumpsuit and heels, she looked amazing as she danced and gyrated around the stage, playing tracks from her back catalogue as the rain slowly subsided. As well as her classics which included ‘Murder on the Dance Floor’ and ‘Take Me Home’, her electrifying performance also included covers of ABBA’s ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight) and Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’, which saw the windows of her backdrop transform into stained glass, giving the illusion that she was in a church. She brought a mix of nostalgia and modern flair to the stage, keeping the audience on their feet and dancing along and was exactly what was needed to get the party started. 

Taking to the stage after Sophie Ellis-Bextor was the amazing Gabrielle, known for her hit songs like ‘Dreams’ and ‘Out of Reach’, she looked resplendent on stage wearing an ankle length white fluffy armless waistcoat type affair. We last saw Gabrielle in Plymouth supporting Rick Astley and seeing her outdoors was completely different to an indoor show, it felt more like a festival (but without the mud) with her silky-smooth vocals captivating the crowd, setting the perfect tone for the evening. The rain had also stopped during her set, and I could see just a smidge of blue sky, fighting to get through.  

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived as the legendary Sir Tom Jones took to the stage. With a career spanning decades and timeless hits such as ‘What's New Pussycat?’ and ‘It's Not Unusual,’ he proved why he is a bonafide musical icon. His powerful voice and charismatic presence left the Plymouth audience spellbound, singing along to every word and swaying to the music. I asked my photographer if he was showered in ladies' panties whilst in the pit but he said he didn’t see any flying his way!  

Tom celebrated his 84th birthday on 7th June (cue the audience singing Happy Birthday to him) and it was amazing to hear the many anecdotes that Tom launched into ahead of a song, stories about duetting on ‘Across the Borderline’ with Willie Nelson at his 90th birthday party at the Hollywood Bowl, recording his own version of ‘Green Green Grass of Home’ after hearing Jerry Lee Lewis’s ‘Country Songs for City People’ in New York and spending time with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas in the early 70’s. 

‘It’s Not Unusual’ sounded incredible with the addition of congo drums and a slightly different arrangement which included a ‘calypso’ feel to it, ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ was delivered beautifully which added a completely new dimension to the track from when Dusty Springfield recorded it in the 60’s and he talked about working with Burt Bacharach back in the day and the resulting track, ‘What’s New Pussycat’, which created a mass sing-a-long, epic scenes indeed! 

Tom dazzled the audience with a 90-minute set which featured other tracks such as ‘You Can Leave Your Hat On’ (The Full Monty), ‘Sex Bomb’ and a fab tribute to the late great PRINCE with a cracking version of ‘Kiss’, which saw Tom moving about the stage, the hip thrusts and gyrations were limited, but hey, the man is 84 years old, think yourself lucky he’s still performing! 

Overall, the opening show of the Summer Sessions event in Plymouth was a night to remember, each act delivered a stellar performance that really resonated with the expectant (and soggy) audience. From the soulful energy of Stone Foundation to the smooth tunes of Gabrielle to the vibrant beats of Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the evening was a testament to the magic of live music. Tom Jones' show-stopping performance was naturally the highlight of the night, showcasing why he is a living legend in the music industry. The audience's overwhelming response only solidified the fact that the night was a resounding success, leaving attendees buzzing with excitement and memories to last a long time.

Words Steve Muscutt

Pictures © Julian Baird