HERE COME THE ALIENS: Kim Wilde at Halifax Victoria Theatre, 19th April 2018
Kim Wilde with Ricky Wilde looking on, Halifax Victoria Theatre, 19th April 2018 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
A Blast from the Past…
I can still vividly remember Mike Reid’s Runaround TV programme and Kim Wilde’s latest single Chequered Love receiving an airing in 1981 as kids ran around the studio in response to the ‘G-g-g-go!” from the comedian who later graced our TV screens as Frank Butcher on Eastenders.
Mike Reid, TV’s Runaround 70s/80s (Image: Facebook)
Growing up in the 80s Kim Wilde was a ubiquitous part of life back then - from her 1981 anthem Kids In America right through to If I Can’t Have You in 1993.
Fast forward a mighty 37 years.
Kim Wilde was well and truly on a comeback runaround. The excellent new album Here Come the Aliens had punched the dials of the clock back, with Kim delivering 12 songs full of of the melodic, catchy-but-crunchy pop-rock she’d built a career upon. Pop Don’t Stop never spoke a truer word.
Announcing an extensive 19 date UK tour, Kim and her band hit the road to bring the Aliens to the masses.
Kim Wilde’s Here Come the Aliens UK Tour 2018 (Image: Rhodes Media)
Kim Wilde, Halifax Victoria Theatre, 19th April 2018 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Launching into Orbit
With the nearby Halifax Victoria Theatre in the midst of the tour routing, I decided to check things out through a mix of nostalgia and curiosity to see the new album in a live setting.
Arriving reasonably early presented an opportunity to snag a ringside standing position—right up at the front to witness an icon of my youth up close and personal!
Opening the gig off with new song Stereo Shot Kim launched the Wilde rocketship into orbit.
A dozen dates into the tour the band were tight, synchronised, well into their stride and best of all were clearly having the time of their lives!
The set list crazily veered between the classics (Water on Glass, Never Trust a Stranger, Cambodia, Another Step (Closer to You)) and the road worthy new songs from Here Come the Aliens (Pop Don’t Stop, Kandy Krush, Birthday). There was no let-up as the band powered on.
The end main set hit a peak and wound my memory back with the aforementioned Chequered Love, the evergreen You Came, the sublime Supremes cover, You Keep Me Hangin’ On before closing the first set with new song 1969—where Kim warns us, “Here come the aliens”.
A blistering encore, Pop Don’t Stop followed by the stonecold classic Kids In America brought the curtain down on a fabulous night.
Kim Wilde, Halifax Victoria Theatre, 19th April 2018 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
A Family Affair
Throughout the gig the interplay between the band was captivating. Kim’s brother Ricky Wilde, wore a smile that Frank Butcher on a promise from Pat would have been proud of, and there was a real family feel with Kim’s niece Scarlett Wilde also lending brilliant backing vocals.
The twin-drum assault of Emily Dolan Davies and Jonathan Atkinson peppered the senses, underpinned Paul Cooper’s bass and Steve Power’s keyboards whilst Ricky Wilde and Neil Jones traded guitar licks and karate kicks throughout.
Kim herself appeared rejuvenated. Embodying her pop star persona to the max, she was on mighty fine form and could have given anyone the runaround!
As Mike Reid himself might have said a “Terr-if-ic” gig!
Kim Wilde & band, Halifax Victoria Theatre, 19th April 2018 (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
The Band: Kim’s band for the Here Come the Aliens tour consisted of Steve Power (keyboards), Jonathan Atkinson (drums), Emily Dolan Davies (drums), Paul Cooper (bass), Neil Jones (guitar), Scarlett Wilde (backing vocals) and Ricky Wilde (guitar).
Seat: Standing, up close and personal, right at the front!
Setlist:
Stereo Shot
Water on Glass
Never Trust a Stranger
Kandy Krush
Cambodia
Birthday
Yours 'til the End
Another Step (Closer to You)
Words Fell Down
Bladerunner
If I Can't Have You (Bee Gees cover)
Rosetta
View From a Bridge
Chequered Love
You Came
You Keep Me Hangin' On (The Supremes cover)
1969
Encore:
Pop Don't Stop
Kids in America
