A concert review: Alfie Boe at Symphony Hall

Even as the light began to fade and the weather closed in, nothing could stop me from becoming much the same as a 4 year old on Christmas morning. You see, for me at least, last night was my equivalent. The thrill of knowing it was going to be something special and that, just like those beautiful wrapped presents under the tree, whatever was inside was going to leave me grinning from ear to ear; my Christmas tree? Symphony Hall in Birmingham - and my presents? the phenomenal talent that is Alfie Boe.

Yes - Britain’s favourite tenor is very much mine also, but frankly - even if he was the lead singer of a rock band (as a suspect he secretly wouldn't mind being) this is one voice, one man I would still be excited over. His albums alone prove that he has the voice of an angel and his talent knows no bounds; but nothing, not even seeing him in the role of Jean Val-Jean back in July, could prepare me for the magic he would weave least night.

As mum and I made our way across town, weaving our way through the cities late night shoppers and tourists visiting the Christmas market,  there was only one thing on my mind – what did Alfie have in store for us? Due to a fair amount of personal loss and trials in recent weeks I had all but ceased visiting the official website and fan forum and so, other than knowing that everyone was raving about how wonderful it was, I didn’t have a clue what was in store – I really was like a 4 year old, waiting to see what was hidden beneath that Christmas tree.

Symphony Hall appeared before us, like a glittering bauble in the dark and so, the night began. As we wandered through the doors and headed for the stand to purchase a gift programme, it was like being encased in a bubble of excitement – it was tangible, like the fizz of joy resonating under everyone’s skins was just one heartbeat away from being sparked – only the missing key, the one person that could make us all loose our heads wasn’t there yet. But he would be. Soon.

As ‘Boe’s Band’ (as he’s named them) came on to the stage, led by the incredible talent that is James Morgan the time had come, as the lights dimmed you could hear everyone draw breath and hold it; waiting, anticipating, entranced and eager for the show to begin. With the opening notes of Ragtime’s – Wheels of a Dream and the ductile tones of Alfie, singing from the wings, coming over the sound system the dream began.

With the closing notes of the song and an audience already on the edge of its seats, it was hard to imagine how the show could get any better, how Alfie’s performances could get any stronger, more emotional or more intimate, but they did and as he gave us his heart and soul, everyone there gave him theirs in return.

As the performances went from strength to strength, Alfie also grew more relaxed and playful, charming and joking with the audience and whilst out of reach from immediate harm, ribbing his good friend and a national comic treasure – Matt Lucas (I do hope some of those comments don’t get back to him, or else Alfie will be cooking dinner for a while to come!). Chocolates were thrown into the audience (sadly, being on the front row they went over our heads) and a Christmas tree was brought onto the stage to make it more festive  and, following some banter with the audience, the lack of lights was fixed and became the point of entertainment for a couple of minutes as Alfie had the technicians turn them on and off at command.

His next song, an incredible rendition of Being Alive hit a personal note with me, the lyrics and the passion behind the story he told summarised exactly how I’ve been feeling of late and although it didn’t bring me to tears – it was a near thing. It was just as well that he moved on to some more upbeat showstoppers before handing over to his supporting act, the beautiful and talented Laura Wright. Her rendition of Bette Midler’s, The Rose once again had me in near tears. Exquisite!

On Alfie’s return to the stage, the audience were treated to an absolute delight – The Impossible Dream- and into Matt Lucas’ shoes stepped two exceptionally talented girls – Bethan and Flo. Now how they have the guts to stand on a stage and sing to a sold out house is beyond me, but not only did they do it – they were brilliant and the audience melted at their sweet tones and professionalism. Two stars for the future I think.

Followed by a performance of Maria the first half was closed with, what has to be one of my all time favourite songs – Tell Me It’s Not True. This has to be one of the most repeated tracks on the whole album and the studio recording pales in comparison to the live performance. The power, the drive and the passion Alfie put into this song took my breath away and gave me goose bumps – heartbreakingly beautiful, it was the perfect end to the first half.

The second half opened with a medley that  isn’t on either of the last two albums, but honestly – who doesn’t love a bond song and as they mixed up tracks including Live and Let Die, We Have All The Time in The World and Nobody Does It Better to name but a few, two thoughts flew through my mind – why don’t they make Bond songs like these anymore and, is there any chance of Alfie being asked to do a title track for a bond film? Hmmm

From the fun of the bond medley, Alfie moved on to a bit more light hearted singing with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, where he invited two girls and their mums to the stage – he had promised to dedicate and sing the song to them and all would have been fine if everyone hadn’t suddenly caught the giggles and Alfie had to stop the orchestra and try again. All would have been fine if he hadn’t then asked one of the women to sing the final section with him and ignored her plees of ‘I can’t sing!’ 5 lines later and he took one look at her and said ‘wow, you really can’t sing can you?’ Once again everyone broke into fits of laughter and Alfie barely made it to the end before once more, letting the laughter take hold.


Following more chocolates being thrown into the audience and the band having a few as well, the mood took a turn towards the more tender songs off the albums; It Was A Very Good Year, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and a heartbreaking beautiful version of In My Daughters Eyes; including a video reel of Alfie and his daughter Grace, brought even the most hardened of the audience to tears. Throw in two more stunning songs from Laura, including Danny Boy and the audience was a helpless jumble of emotions.

But as the night drew to a close, there was only one song left that everyone was waiting to hear and as always, Alfie brought the show home with Bring Him Home. He makes this song his own and nobody, in my humble opinion, does it better. If the show had ended there everyone would have gone home happy – I certainly was floating on cloud 9. The show; Alfie; the whole evening was everything I could have hoped for and more. The magic of Christmas day pales in comparison.

Nevertheless, Alfie wasn’t done there! A stunning duet of Come What May with Laura (which I think I prefer to the one of the album) was flowed by a splashing of Alfie’s operatic talents in O Sole Mio (otherwise known as the Neapolitan Song) and finished, like the cherry on top of an exceptionally indulgent desert, with Jacobs Ladder – complete with Alfie showing off his drumming skills.

To put it simply, Alfie rocked Symphony Hall and nothing could ever compare to hearing him sing live. I always feel that terms such as incredible, exceptional, sensational and unique are too liberally scattered around the music world, but in this instance and for this man – not only are they true, but they don’t do him justice.

Bring on the next album, bring on the next live show and at the end of it all – Alfie, never stop rocking!