Review: Toyah ? the soundtrack to my life
Toyah gave it her all during every song. - Credit: Archant
I was so privileged to see my childhood idol, the irrepressible Toyah, perform at Bristol’s Fleece on Thursday evening as I had never seen her sing her own songs live before, despite being a fan since I was 11.
The singer poured her heart out to her adoring audience. - Credit: Archant
The Birmingham-born star rarely tours but has just finished a sell-out four-gig run with full electric band to celebrate 40 years in the business after turning 60 earlier this year.
The agile singer-songwriter has always had boundless energy, her videos and lively performances on erstwhile TV music show Top Of The Pops will testify to this, and she shows no signs of slowing down at 60. She leapt around the stage, commanding it with her strong and quirky tribal dance moves and leaning out towards the audience astride stone pillars in the small, crammed venue.
Her voice is as powerful and moving as it always was, diving straight in with All In A Rage, she took us through the full back-catalogue including Danced, Good Morning Universe, Thunder In The Mountains, Be Proud Be Loud (Be Heard), Rebel Run, I Want To Be Free, Brave New World and ending with her best-known hit It’s A Mystery.
It was particularly during thunderous versions of We Are, Ieya and the dark anthem Angel And Me when the memories came flooding back of a teenage me, dressed head to toe in black, prancing around my bedroom singing and pretending to be her.
Toyah clearly enjoying being back on stage with her band. - Credit: Archant
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The pint-sized performer had the audience of varying ages eating out of the palms of her hands, singing and pogoing along with her from beginning to end, including a couple of new songs.
All too soon it was all over but I thoroughly enjoyed an evening of nostalgia with my best friend from childhood who was also a fan.
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I urge anyone who loved her music to catch her live as I am sure judging by her sheer exuberance; it won’t be the last time she tours.
Future Fleece gigs can be viewed via www.thefleece.co.uk/whats-on
She put every ounce of emotion and passion into her performance. - Credit: Archant
