Concert review: Marc Almond, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

In his own words, it was a mad show, but to Marc Almond’s adoring fans it was an unforgettable night.

From the moment the snake-hipped star took to the stage, the audience was eating out of his hand.

It may have been nearly 30 years since he arrived on the music scene as one of the Soft Cell duo, but his voice is still as mesmerising as ever.

He promised the audience a mixed bag of old and new – Russian gipsy tunes anyone?

But the haunting tone from the man who was in a near-fatal crash five years ago meant even the most bizarre lyrics – Trials of Eyeliner – sounded perfect.

The only sour note was a technical hitch with his lead guitarist which prompted a hissy-fit.

The audience helped bring the show to a suitable finale, with Soft Cell classic Say Hello Wave Goodbye and Friendship which he dedicated to the audience.

After a two-hour set the crowd wanted more. Almond insisted “I don’t deserve it” due to the earlier “madness”, but they begged to differ.

By Maria Cusine