The Hits Tour
Set-list
Switch It On
Your Game
Changes
Tell Me The Worst
Light My Fire
Friday’s Child
Who Am I
You & I
Ever Fallen In Love
Everybody Wants To Rule the World
All Time Love
Love The One You Are With
Hopes & Fears
Grace
Leave Right Now
The Letter
Evergreen
Birmingham Evening Mail - Source
DESPITE the yearly churning out of X Factor wannabes and other talent show winners, there is no suggestion that Will Young’s star has faded.
Heralding from a talent show background, Young, the original Pop Idol 2002, has certainly established himself as an talented adult artist in his own right.
Dressed casually in black polo neck top and grey trousers, he was comfortable and chatty on stage and was backed up by an impressive band as he belted out tracks from his album, The Hits.
The predominately female crowd enjoyed Friday’s Child and were treated to a great blues version of Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Who Am I? was sung slowly and soulfully and everybody lapped up his jazz version of Leave Right Now.
In between giggly chats about his fears of the ageing process and his bum dropping, Young gave a mesmerising rendition of The Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen In Love With Someone, while Love The One You’re With, had everyone on their feet.
Evergreen was left as the resounding encore.
The Guardian - Source
Seven years after being crowned winner of Britain's first Pop Idol television show, Will Young is celebrating the release of a greatest hits album, starting with two shows five minutes from his front door. But his thoughts are elsewhere. "I was watching X Factor before this," he says, tantalising the crowd. "Some major things have gone on."
Having helped The X Factor's Cheryl Cole with her share of wannabes, Young's keen to talk shop, canvassing opinion on the contestants and showing off his Stacey Solomon impression. "All in niceness, not nastiness," he adds hastily. "You have to cover your back these days – in case I want to get on the show."
Following four successful studio albums and 10 Brit award nominations, Young's first single from The Hits, Hopes & Fears, failed to trouble the top 50. Still, every move he makes tonight elicits squeals of delight from mums and daughters, along with matey cheers of "C'mon Will!" from men. Young is what Robbie Williams once was: the pop star next door, chatty, funny and sincere. Between slices of soulful pop and lovelorn ballads, he talks to the crowd as if gossiping to friends, not just admitting that he dances in front of "reflective surfaces" at home, but giving a demonstration. Accepting a bouquet from the front row, Young trills a melody, mixing Barbra Streisand's You Don't Bring Me Flowers with the West Ham anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.
He's chummy with his five-piece band and two female backing singers, singing to the latter and aping their moves. But while the girls wear what look like sequin and feather embellished bin liners, Young is dapper in a fitted shirt and black bow tie for the sleek Switch It On and classy Your Game, before donning a velvet smoking jacket for some loungey covers. Accompanied by a piano, he finds tenderness in Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen in Love, although his versions of Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World and the Box Tops' The Letter stir unnecessary memories of his talent show past.
With classics like Leave Right Now, Who Am I and Grace, Young proves he has moved beyond such karaoke. During the encore Evergreen, the crowd finally stop checking their phones for news of Jedward and seize the chance to sing along with a genuine talent.
The Latest - Source
There’s a big market out there for properly enunciated adult pop, and on the last night of his Hits tour reconstituted Pop Idol Will Young filled it with aplomb. Dressed in polo neck and skinnies with a live band instead of dancers, he made sure his vocal was centre stage – which included showcasing a gorgeously languid cover of The Buzzcocks’ punk-rock classic Ever Fallen In Love… in which the words ‘shouldn’t have’ were pronounced with all the care of a butler laying table. He may be public schooled, but he ain’t prissy – in one of several impish asides, he owned that he sometimes conducts promo interviews on the toilet (though he’s always careful to lay down a crash mat first). The banter was cute, the band flexible, the ballads given just the right amount of room to breathe. But when it’s all about the voice, you might as well be listening from your bubble bath with a mug of Cadbury’s Options.
DailyMusicGuide - Source
Will Young was the first winner of Pop Idol back in 2002, and although his record sales have dipped recently, he retains a strong middle-aged female audience. Tonight his fans have filled the Apollo and you can't imagine that there are too many present that didn't vote for him, more than seven years ago.
First they must sit politely through a very refined support act, called Phantom Limb. They almost have more members than Will performs with and they make a dreamy folky sound that is built around the vocals of Yolanda Quartey. She arrives in a remarkably expansive dress and after all the others, perhaps underlining who the star of the band really is.
But that would be unfair, because guitarist Stew Jackson co-wrote Will Young's new single 'Hopes and Fears' alongside Yolanda, so this is a band with obvious talent. But support slots are never easy and Phantom Limb would be better judged during their own headline tour in December, rather than battling against the nattering masses tonight.
The chatting soon stops when Will Young finally bounds onto the stage like Tigger on drugs, before slowly calming down and gaining control of a delighted audience. Songs like 'Your Game', 'Changes' and 'Tell Me The Worst' are sung superbly before a delightful interlude with just Will and the pianoman on stage. Together they perform a cover of 'Ever Fallen In Love?' and 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World'.
Previous tours have seen Will in larger venues with big dancing troupes and plenty of choreography but the subtler surroundings of the Apollo and a minimalist set suit him far more. The crowd is enthralled and although mostly female, one man loses himself during 'Leave Right Now' by shouting out twice "Don't do it Will!" His wife will be having words. Other pick out moments include 'Grace', one of his best songs and 'Friday's Child'.
The encore begins with another cover version, a fantastic version of The Box Tops' 'The Letter' before a hilarious introduction of the band, one of whom had been suffering from the runs apparently. There's perhaps no surprise with the rousing finale of 'Evergreen', and hardly a person remains seated. That single seems a long time ago now, and Will Young has grown considerably as an artist of course. Simon Cowell failed to spot it, but Will Young definitely has the X Factor.
Rating: 5/5
Express and Star - Source
It is seven years since Will Young shot to fame as the winner of Pop Idol. Now, at 30 and after four studio albums, he has rolled out his greatest hits for Christmas.
And, while on former tours he has perhaps been keen to ignore his reality TV past, at the NIA last night he was happy to acknowledge the origins of his success.
He even encored with his first hit, Evergreen, a song that has been significant by its absence during previous visits to Birmingham.
Young has matured into a singer with an impressively broad fanbase. He clearly feels comfortable in their company, indulging in a gossip between songs on subjects ranging from memories of his Pop Idol tour to Airfix model-making.
And there is no denying his talent. He was pitch perfect for the 90-minute set, with classics like Leave Right Now, Who Am I and Grace mixed with a smattering of covers, incuding a tender version of the Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen in Love and a wonderfully sophisticated jazz cover of Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World.
Rippon Gazette - Source
STRIDING on stage to a capacity crowd of two and half thousand, Will Young received rapturous applause before he had even sung a note.
This crowd was here to enjoy Will at his best and that is what they got.
Those of us who last saw Will Young perform open air at Harewood House the other summer will remember how disappointing he was, having flown in from a friend's wedding and still in dress coat and swigging champagne – his head was obviously elsewhere.
Dressed on this occasion in a purple shirt, black velvet bow tie and skin tight black jeans with red trainers, Will Young strode up to his white microphone stand and from that moment on he had Harrogate in the palm of his hands.
Bringing the crowd up to date on the latest antics on the evening's X-Factor, including an audience vote on just who should win and discussing the quality of the cakes from Bettys which he had delivered to his dressing room before the show, Will announced he was very impressed with Harrogate as a town.
Launching into his hit single Changes, his powerful voice filled the auditorium and along with his seven-piece band and two fabulous backing singers reminded us just why he was and is such a winner. The sound was crisp, clear and perfectly balanced.
As the mirror ball filled the stage with twinkles of light, the crowd clapped in unison to Light My Fire and sang along to stunning Friday's Child before chilling down to the powerful ballad You and I, which he delivered with a great sound and real depth of emotion, bringing the whole place to its feet in appreciation.
As the stage faded to darkness it was time for Will to bring the pace right down to an acoustic set with simply him and a white piano.
He stunned the audience with his ballad renditions of Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Old time Love.
As the evening drew to a close the band returned for a slick, polished and totally storming version of Grace and the closing number Leave Right Now.
Though any thought Will Young had of leaving at that point were dashed as the entire room erupted into deafening applause which brought Will back on stage to close with My Baby Wrote Me a Letter and after informing the crowd this was his last number, "but it is good one" he stunned the room to silence with an impassioned Evergreen.
All too soon Will Young was gone and the final wave of applause from a grateful and satisfied crowd filled the night air.
Switch It On
Your Game
Changes
Tell Me The Worst
Light My Fire
Friday’s Child
Who Am I
You & I
Ever Fallen In Love
Everybody Wants To Rule the World
All Time Love
Love The One You Are With
Hopes & Fears
Grace
Leave Right Now
The Letter
Evergreen
Birmingham Evening Mail - Source
DESPITE the yearly churning out of X Factor wannabes and other talent show winners, there is no suggestion that Will Young’s star has faded.
Heralding from a talent show background, Young, the original Pop Idol 2002, has certainly established himself as an talented adult artist in his own right.
Dressed casually in black polo neck top and grey trousers, he was comfortable and chatty on stage and was backed up by an impressive band as he belted out tracks from his album, The Hits.
The predominately female crowd enjoyed Friday’s Child and were treated to a great blues version of Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World. Who Am I? was sung slowly and soulfully and everybody lapped up his jazz version of Leave Right Now.
In between giggly chats about his fears of the ageing process and his bum dropping, Young gave a mesmerising rendition of The Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen In Love With Someone, while Love The One You’re With, had everyone on their feet.
Evergreen was left as the resounding encore.
The Guardian - Source
Seven years after being crowned winner of Britain's first Pop Idol television show, Will Young is celebrating the release of a greatest hits album, starting with two shows five minutes from his front door. But his thoughts are elsewhere. "I was watching X Factor before this," he says, tantalising the crowd. "Some major things have gone on."
Having helped The X Factor's Cheryl Cole with her share of wannabes, Young's keen to talk shop, canvassing opinion on the contestants and showing off his Stacey Solomon impression. "All in niceness, not nastiness," he adds hastily. "You have to cover your back these days – in case I want to get on the show."
Following four successful studio albums and 10 Brit award nominations, Young's first single from The Hits, Hopes & Fears, failed to trouble the top 50. Still, every move he makes tonight elicits squeals of delight from mums and daughters, along with matey cheers of "C'mon Will!" from men. Young is what Robbie Williams once was: the pop star next door, chatty, funny and sincere. Between slices of soulful pop and lovelorn ballads, he talks to the crowd as if gossiping to friends, not just admitting that he dances in front of "reflective surfaces" at home, but giving a demonstration. Accepting a bouquet from the front row, Young trills a melody, mixing Barbra Streisand's You Don't Bring Me Flowers with the West Ham anthem I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles.
He's chummy with his five-piece band and two female backing singers, singing to the latter and aping their moves. But while the girls wear what look like sequin and feather embellished bin liners, Young is dapper in a fitted shirt and black bow tie for the sleek Switch It On and classy Your Game, before donning a velvet smoking jacket for some loungey covers. Accompanied by a piano, he finds tenderness in Buzzcocks' Ever Fallen in Love, although his versions of Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World and the Box Tops' The Letter stir unnecessary memories of his talent show past.
With classics like Leave Right Now, Who Am I and Grace, Young proves he has moved beyond such karaoke. During the encore Evergreen, the crowd finally stop checking their phones for news of Jedward and seize the chance to sing along with a genuine talent.
The Latest - Source
There’s a big market out there for properly enunciated adult pop, and on the last night of his Hits tour reconstituted Pop Idol Will Young filled it with aplomb. Dressed in polo neck and skinnies with a live band instead of dancers, he made sure his vocal was centre stage – which included showcasing a gorgeously languid cover of The Buzzcocks’ punk-rock classic Ever Fallen In Love… in which the words ‘shouldn’t have’ were pronounced with all the care of a butler laying table. He may be public schooled, but he ain’t prissy – in one of several impish asides, he owned that he sometimes conducts promo interviews on the toilet (though he’s always careful to lay down a crash mat first). The banter was cute, the band flexible, the ballads given just the right amount of room to breathe. But when it’s all about the voice, you might as well be listening from your bubble bath with a mug of Cadbury’s Options.
DailyMusicGuide - Source
Will Young was the first winner of Pop Idol back in 2002, and although his record sales have dipped recently, he retains a strong middle-aged female audience. Tonight his fans have filled the Apollo and you can't imagine that there are too many present that didn't vote for him, more than seven years ago.
First they must sit politely through a very refined support act, called Phantom Limb. They almost have more members than Will performs with and they make a dreamy folky sound that is built around the vocals of Yolanda Quartey. She arrives in a remarkably expansive dress and after all the others, perhaps underlining who the star of the band really is.
But that would be unfair, because guitarist Stew Jackson co-wrote Will Young's new single 'Hopes and Fears' alongside Yolanda, so this is a band with obvious talent. But support slots are never easy and Phantom Limb would be better judged during their own headline tour in December, rather than battling against the nattering masses tonight.
The chatting soon stops when Will Young finally bounds onto the stage like Tigger on drugs, before slowly calming down and gaining control of a delighted audience. Songs like 'Your Game', 'Changes' and 'Tell Me The Worst' are sung superbly before a delightful interlude with just Will and the pianoman on stage. Together they perform a cover of 'Ever Fallen In Love?' and 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World'.
Previous tours have seen Will in larger venues with big dancing troupes and plenty of choreography but the subtler surroundings of the Apollo and a minimalist set suit him far more. The crowd is enthralled and although mostly female, one man loses himself during 'Leave Right Now' by shouting out twice "Don't do it Will!" His wife will be having words. Other pick out moments include 'Grace', one of his best songs and 'Friday's Child'.
The encore begins with another cover version, a fantastic version of The Box Tops' 'The Letter' before a hilarious introduction of the band, one of whom had been suffering from the runs apparently. There's perhaps no surprise with the rousing finale of 'Evergreen', and hardly a person remains seated. That single seems a long time ago now, and Will Young has grown considerably as an artist of course. Simon Cowell failed to spot it, but Will Young definitely has the X Factor.
Rating: 5/5
Express and Star - Source
It is seven years since Will Young shot to fame as the winner of Pop Idol. Now, at 30 and after four studio albums, he has rolled out his greatest hits for Christmas.
And, while on former tours he has perhaps been keen to ignore his reality TV past, at the NIA last night he was happy to acknowledge the origins of his success.
He even encored with his first hit, Evergreen, a song that has been significant by its absence during previous visits to Birmingham.
Young has matured into a singer with an impressively broad fanbase. He clearly feels comfortable in their company, indulging in a gossip between songs on subjects ranging from memories of his Pop Idol tour to Airfix model-making.
And there is no denying his talent. He was pitch perfect for the 90-minute set, with classics like Leave Right Now, Who Am I and Grace mixed with a smattering of covers, incuding a tender version of the Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen in Love and a wonderfully sophisticated jazz cover of Tears For Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World.
Rippon Gazette - Source
STRIDING on stage to a capacity crowd of two and half thousand, Will Young received rapturous applause before he had even sung a note.
This crowd was here to enjoy Will at his best and that is what they got.
Those of us who last saw Will Young perform open air at Harewood House the other summer will remember how disappointing he was, having flown in from a friend's wedding and still in dress coat and swigging champagne – his head was obviously elsewhere.
Dressed on this occasion in a purple shirt, black velvet bow tie and skin tight black jeans with red trainers, Will Young strode up to his white microphone stand and from that moment on he had Harrogate in the palm of his hands.
Bringing the crowd up to date on the latest antics on the evening's X-Factor, including an audience vote on just who should win and discussing the quality of the cakes from Bettys which he had delivered to his dressing room before the show, Will announced he was very impressed with Harrogate as a town.
Launching into his hit single Changes, his powerful voice filled the auditorium and along with his seven-piece band and two fabulous backing singers reminded us just why he was and is such a winner. The sound was crisp, clear and perfectly balanced.
As the mirror ball filled the stage with twinkles of light, the crowd clapped in unison to Light My Fire and sang along to stunning Friday's Child before chilling down to the powerful ballad You and I, which he delivered with a great sound and real depth of emotion, bringing the whole place to its feet in appreciation.
As the stage faded to darkness it was time for Will to bring the pace right down to an acoustic set with simply him and a white piano.
He stunned the audience with his ballad renditions of Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Old time Love.
As the evening drew to a close the band returned for a slick, polished and totally storming version of Grace and the closing number Leave Right Now.
Though any thought Will Young had of leaving at that point were dashed as the entire room erupted into deafening applause which brought Will back on stage to close with My Baby Wrote Me a Letter and after informing the crowd this was his last number, "but it is good one" he stunned the room to silence with an impassioned Evergreen.
All too soon Will Young was gone and the final wave of applause from a grateful and satisfied crowd filled the night air.