Review: “Trevor Horn and Friends”, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London 2 November 2018 – Trouper Rating: ****
Trevor Horn is a music producing legend. He is like Britain’s answer to Quincy Jones. He has worked with some of the biggest names in 80s pop from ABC to Frankie Goes To Hollywood and it’s with one from the latter’s catalogue that he begins proceedings with a banging “Two Tribes”, courtesy of a nineteen-piece band including an eight member string section. Ryan Malloy takes vocals here and is a powerful presence. Then, we’re in to the hit that first brought Horn to public attention in his group Buggles: “Video Killed The Radio Star”. Hard to believe the song is almost 40 – count ‘em – years old. It was the first video played on MTV when it launched in 1981 and it still sounds fresh.
Horn has a new album coming out next year – so the timing of the concert so much prior is interesting. “Reimagining The 80s” will see him make over some of his own previously produced hits but also cover others, so on the night we have enjoyable versions of Dire Straits “Money For Nothing” and New Order’s “Blue Monday.” One time X-Factor star Matt Cardle proves himself a capable vocalist on a number of the night’s tracks. He struggled a little perhaps on a slowed down version of Grace Jones’ “Slave To the Rhythm” – check out the 12” version below, one of the best records of the 80s – but his performance overall did have you wondering why he hasn’t quite made the transition from reality winner to permanent star.
Horn’s old buddy, Lol Crème, was on keyboards throughout and the banter between them was fun and relaxed and the audience – made up mostly frankly of people in their late 40s / early 50s – lapped it up.