ShareWet Wet Wet with special guest Heather Small, performing at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Monday 3rd February 2025.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Given the length of Heather Small’s career it might be forgivable for some to forget just how many hits she has achieved in her career as both a solo star and as the mesmerizing front woman of M People and on Monday night at the Royal Concert Hall she served to remind everyone as her powerful vocals and engaging presence made her a brilliant opener for Wet Wet Wet.
With her vibrant energy she delivered a performance filled with passion and soul. Her short set included her iconic hits such as Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and the inspirational Proud which had the entire crowd singing along.
Wet Wet Wet were no one hit wonders in the 80’s and early 90’s as they notched up twenty five hits during their decades of chart success as they became one of Britain’s most successful bands ever. But it all went a bit wrong later with front man Marti Pellow announcing a solo career and a drug problem leaving the band to go their separate ways.
And with many tickets sold on Monday night, lead vocalist Kevin Simm who replaced Pellow in 2018, filled the big boots he left, fitting them superbly. With original band member bassist Graeme Clark and lead guitarist Graeme Duffin, who has been with the band as a touring musician since 1983, they kept the hits coming.
Opening with Sweet Little Mystery, the sing alongs came early and Simm’s vocal prowess made it seem that he had always been centre stage. Temptation showed him to be an accomplished soulful singer, and he was an absolutely standout on Angel Eyes and the funky Wishing I Was Lucky as his vocals soared over the mix.
Sweet Surrender was a particular highlight as was With A Little Help From My Friends, a cover of The Beatles classic, which was a saxophone heavy rendition which had every one singing along. Goodnight Girl got a very enthusiastic response with Simms leading a sing along to the chorus and Julia Says showcased the group’s harmonies.
A cover of The Troggs Love Is All Around became a cultural phenomenon when the film Four Weddings And A Funeral was released in 1994. It became such a hit staying at the top of the charts for fifteen weeks that the band eventually asked for it to be withdrawn. But on Monday night it was a fitting end to Wet Wet Wet’s monumental set that had the crowd begging for more.
