When you're looking for a night of powerful iconic music performed by the greatest showman, look no further than Mr Barry Manilow.
For the last show of his 2022 tour, the 79-year-old lugged his hundreds of sparkly suit jackets, and band to Leeds. Fans were eager to get inside First Direct Arena on Saturday (June 25) to see the superstar after Covid left them waiting months and months for the show.
Barry himself was struck down by Covid not so long ago but showed no signs of any lingering illness as he was up on his feet all night and sung his heart out to an animated audience smiling from ear to ear last night.
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The crowds of fans, waving their glow sticks high in the air, were singing from the start to the end of the show along with him. He kicked off with It's A Miracle, boasting a bright red sequin jacket, and accompanied by an incredible band who put on a grand show that transported the audience to the likes of a Las Vegas show.
"He is having the time of his life up there", one fan pegged. Barry had a glint in his eye as his sang with passion which amplified into the audience.
He played old clips of his first rise to fame but now, despite his age, his singing is more powerful and smooth than ever before, as the years have made his voice stronger and stronger.
He referenced when he first began performing and came to the UK. "I'm smitten with Britain", he said as he spoke about his love for Brits and nights on stage in London during the '80s.
The superstar also nodded to his younger days on stage and spoke about his sweet start in music - with the help of his grandfather. He dedicated Song for You to his late grandad who would take him to a music show every weekend, and shared heart-warming photograph of the pair and a recording of him singing as a child.
One of the highlights of his set, preceded by a stylish and sax-drenched support set from Curtis Stigers, was a medley of his more recent single and unlikely TikTok smash Dancing in the Aisles, delivered alongside fool-proof crowd pleasers Dancing in the Streets and Let’s Hold On.
The audience offered a standing ovation after every song, and towards the end of the show fans were seen stood up for the rest of the show dancing and waving their arms in the air. Could It Be Magic delighted fans, and their eyes lit up as the set changed into an exotic paradise for Bermuda Triangle.
But of course everyone waited with bated breath for Copacabana. The singers came on stage with beautifully colour costumes with bright yellow feathers attached.
And of course Barry changed his jacket - this time to a bright orange one dazzled with sparkles. Fans chuckled as the charismatic showman turned around and the words 'COPA' were written in crystals on the back of his jacket.
The show was full of surprises and the atmosphere was exhilarating from the very start to the end of the show. Barry's fans were taking through a whole host of emotions, and transported into Las Vegas and Bermuda.
The singer became emotional as he spoke about it being the final night of the much-anticipated show. He left the stage with a beaming smile, and his generosity beamed through.
Barry proved he just gets better and better as the years go on - and he isn't stopping being the greatest showman anytime soon.
Set list:
- It's a Miracle
- Can't Smile Without You
- Stay
- Somewhere in the Night
- Looks Like We Made It
- This One's For You
- Sweet Heaven (I'm in Love Again)
- Even Now
The Old Songs / Ships / Ready to Take a Chance Again / Tryin' To Get The Feeling Again
Dancing in the Aisles/Dancing in the Street/Let's Hang On
Bermunda Triangle
Could It Be Magic
I Made It Through the Rain
Mandy/Could It Be Magic
I Write the Songs
Copacabana (At the Copa)
Let Freedom Ring
It's A Miracle (Reprise)
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