Lighthouse Family performing their Greatest Hits And Songs From Blue Sky In Your Head at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 15th November 2019



Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

It has been more than eighteen years since the Lighthouse Family last released an album, but with their latest release, Blue Sky In Your Head, they were back at the Royal Concert Hall last night to showcase it to a packed crowd.

Coming on with a minimum of fuss, Tunde Baiyewu took centre stage whilst Paul Tucker assumed his position behind his keyboard, hunched over and doing a great impression of Dick Dastardly with his big boots and furry collar.

Impressing from the off, Tunde quickly commanded the minimalistic stage with his gentle moves and rich, powerful vocals on new songs My Salvation and Blue Sky In Your Head. And with the backing tapes certainly overpowering at the start by the time Question Of Faith was given an airing, Tunde was back on track.

The very beautiful Put My Heart On You, inspired by Tunde’s five year old daughter, was a real highlight of the new songs and had the crowd hanging on every word, and when the band’s first original hit arrived, Lifted, they leapt to their feet and heartily sang along.

With two guitarists, a drummer and a female backing singer, the songs simply flowed. There was oldie Run and a truly beautiful, soulful rendition of Lost In Space, before the auditorium was decked out with swathes of light for the awesome slower Postcards From Heaven.

Throughout the set there was chat from both band members but it was Tunde’s distinctive vocals that held everyone’s attention. And when the opening chords of Ocean Drive rang out, the crowd couldn’t stop themselves from singing along.

Bringing the main set to a close with a rousing High, they were soon back onstage for (I Wish I Know How It Feels To Be) Free which rounded off a crowd pleasing set.