Photo: Richard Gray
There’s something quite emotive about seeing 66-year-old Phil Collins take to the stage in Hyde Park on Friday. After recently cutting short his Not Dead Yet: Live tour at the Royal Albert Hall following a fall at a hotel, it’s clear Collins is still suffering the effects: a chair and small table take centre stage ready to support Collins, who hobbles on with a walking stick. It’s particularly sad when images of the frail singer are juxtaposed with those of a younger, healthier Collins through the years on the big screens.
Collins called it a day six years ago to spend more time with the youngest of his children. “The truth is, I missed you,” Collins tells the crowd. But spending time with his children seems to have paid off – taking to the drums tonight is Collins’ talented 16-year old son and the person many are crediting with Collins’ decision to return to touring. Collins and his band receive a rapturous response from the crowd: it seems like the 65,000-strong crowd have missed him too.
The buoyant opening sees Collins proving that despite his physical disabilities (he can no longer play drums because of a back condition and must sit for the entirety of the gig), his voice has lost little of the power that brought him enormous successes as lead singer of Genesis or as a solo artist in the 1980’s. His voice certainly doesn’t match the fragile image of the man, or the largely upbeat run of songs this gig provides. The early stages see Collins sing ‘Another Day in Paradise’, he Genesis classic ‘Follow You Follow Me’ and ‘Something Happened on the Way to Heaven.’
It’s sometimes easy to forget just how successful Collins has been throughout his career. Whether it be winning an Oscar for Disney’s Tarzan, playing hit after hit with Genesis or forging out a career as a drumming pioneer in a jazz fusion band, Collins has been successful throughout each era of his varied career. His solo career in the 1980’s saw him writing some of the biggest hits of that period – something recognised earlier in the day when Collins picked up the Icon O2 Silver Clef award. Whilst many mercilessly took the piss out of Collins in the 1990’s (perhaps most famously Noel Gallagher), it feels like Collins is the one having the last laugh tonight: despite the criticism, the physical disabilities and the naysayers, he’s still here playing one of the most successful opening shows in Hyde Park’s recent history.
Collins’ son shines when drumming ‘In the Air Tonight’, Collins’ signature drum song. His son is note perfect and receives a rapturous response for his abilities – no mean feat at 16 years old in front of such an overwhelming crowd. Towards the end of the gig, ‘Invisible Touch’, ‘Easy Lover’ and ‘Sussudio’ present the most fun run of hits of the evening, with Collins’ excellent band retaining their tight and accomplished construction through the night. There are only a few ballads included - 'Against All Odds' was a noticeable absentee - but the theme of this show seemed to a celebration of survival - and for that, only a run of upbeat hits would suffice.
Other highlights on the first day include an earlier set from New York’s Blondie, with Debbie Harry emerging on stage in a pair of outlandish bee ears for new album Pollinator. Playing all the hits, Debbie Harry’s voice holds up well, as does that of other rock veterans Mike and the Mechanics. Those hoping for a Genesis super-group reunion were disappointed, but crowds were treated to the ultimate guilty pleasure set-list which included ‘The Living Years’, ‘All I Need is a Miracle’ and ‘Over My Shoulder’. The set proves one of the most enjoyable of the afternoon.
