There's #onlythenow and #ageisjustanumber Review: Tom Robinson at @Sage_Gateshead #photos @FreshNet

Tom Robinson 

Mighty Sword of Justice Tour 

at The Sage, Gateshead 09/11/2015

Tom Robinson is known to many as the voice on BBC6Music with his unique Saturday Night Show with its blend of the classic and brand new. Tom is on tour after the release of his album Only The Now, his fist studio album in nearly 20 years. 

Hall 2 at The Sage was first entertained by a short set of eclectic songs, about, or related to, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses, by Kitten Pyramid. The band on this occasion only consisted of frontman Scott Milligan (on various instruments) and his son Tom on drums. I found this interesting prog music for a live gig though perhaps would not be my personal choice of CD for a long journey.

Tom Robinson took to the stage to perform two sets with a short voice break in between. He mixed the old and the new with the audience joining in with such classics as Martin and Glad to be Gay but also with new tracks like Risky Business and Mighty Sword of Justice. Tom did some lyrical tweaking with older songs to fit the current political climate. Don’t Jump Don’t Fall was an emotional reminder of the dangers of falling off the edge of society when there are no mental health safety nets. 

Tom had a quality band with him including Adam Phillips on guitar and Lee Forsyth Griffiths providing acoustic guitar, vocals and in set 2, one of his own songs, Meet Me In The Middle. His song met with the approval of the friendly Sage crowd.

Gerry Diver added keys and violin and Faithless’s Andy Treacey provided percussion. The whole band put so much into the songs that War Baby sounded fresh as it did in the 80’s. Only The Now is a touching reminder to stop worrying about the past and future and live in the present. That’s really what this album and tour is about, if you want to do something with your life, there’s no time like the present.

Tom still plays with an energy, enthusiasm and a disregard for the fourth wall, that less experienced artists could learn from. He balanced the old and new songs keeping the audience with him all the way. 2,4,6,8 Motorway had most of the crowd on their feet for an extended singalong. This was a gig that made my heart grow a couple of sizes, with the warmth going between Tom and his fans. I would happily do this gig again! Tom is living proof that age is just a number and there is indeed Only The Now.

You can buy Only The Now at https://www.musicglue.com/tom-robinson/shop/

All words and photos © Joanne Oliver for Jowheretogo. 

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