Following on from nigh on a year's worth of hype, and a well documented
(primarily through Sky Living's Steps: Reunion programme following every inch
of their reformation) reunion, the return of Steps, one of the biggest pop
phenomenons of a generation, there is a lot riding on tonight's show at
Nottingham's Capital FM Arena.
Expectations are high, and with so much build up since their long awaited
reunion last year, this is easily one of the biggest tours of the year, with a
lot riding on this for the 5 members of the band.
The warm up acts are relatively low key, with everyone in attendance awaiting
the main event; and the pop suiperstars don't disappoint. This tour could well
have never happened, and for the die hard fans in attendance tonight, this is
something that they have been waiting for for a very long time, with over 10
years passing since the band's acrimonious split at the height of their fame at
the now infamous Manchester show in December 2001.
The television programme captured the band warts and all as they worked through
their personal issues, to once more become a band, and hit the road once more
for this run of dates which will stretch out across the summer months as they
swap arenas for outdoor shows up and down the land.
They may only be a few nights into the tour, but it seems that all is forgiven,
and the band are here to roll back the yeas, and give their fans the trip down
memory lane they have wanted for so long. With that in mind, tonight is a hit
fest from start to finish, as the band travel the depths of their extensive
back catalogue, to thrill fans old and new alike with their material.
It is glorious pop magic at its very best, proving that for all their
detractors back in the day who labelled them "uncool", they were the
purveyors of some of the finest pop songs ever seen. Tonight is a walk through
of their greatest hits, and captures the hearts of all in attendance in an
instance.
As the band's immense stage production, backed by the biggest monitor in live
show history starts off the nights proceedings, the band make their appearance
in chambers for their opening number, Here and Now. Naturally, the places hit
euphoria from the opening notes, and doesn't relent for a moment throughout a
90 minute set. The fans could not be happier to have their heroes back.
As the band leave their pods to break into You'll Be Sorry, by the tie they
follow this up with Deeper Shade of Blue, it is like they have never been away.
The hits come thick and fast, with an ingenious segment involving the band
pumping the crowd up to dance along wit hthem to their iconic dance steps
backing up their biggest hits. Last Thing On My Mind is huge, and to be
dropping hits such as the aforesaid and Better Best Forgotten, Love's Got A
Hold On My Heart and their seminal breakthrough track 5,6,7,8 so early in the
set hints at the sheer quality of their output throughout their time as a
band.
Lee even cracks out the rap on the latter, and although cut curiously short to
allow a back drop of fan segments showing them dancing, this is a minor
critique in what is a stand out show. Summer of Love has a real flamenco feel
to it, and the meshing of Better the Devil You Know with Lady Gaga's Judas,
accompanied by some rather daring fire histrionics from the band mark a high
point. The inevitable solo section follows, with the clear stand out being the
huge voiced Claire Richards smashing an epic rendition of I Surrender out of
the park, leaving her peers in the shade, in spite of strong showings from them
all.
Following on from an inspired video clip showing the band harmonising to an
almost operatic sound, it acts as the perfect introduction to yet another
massive hit. Returning for a massive rendition of the outstanding The Way You
Make Me Feel (recreating the baroque of the music video in their attire) and
yet more hits as the likes of Heartbeat, Stomp, One For Sorrow all lead the way
to the climax of the evening. As the band finish on a one-two of Chain Reaction
and Dancing Queen, it is only inevitable that they return for their encore, and
a riotous run through of Tragedy, with nobody in the arena being shy in
following along with the iconic dance moves.
With a huge stage production, a huge number of costume changes and anthems to
boot, the return of Steps is a welcome proposition. They were on top form
tonight, which is impressive considering we are so eary on in a tour that sees
them pick up where they left off over a decade ago.
Some things are Better Best Forgotten; from the reaction and the performance
here tonight ,it is clear that Steps are not one of those things. The
expectation on them was inevitably huge, but they pulled it off with class, and
a pop performance straight out of the top draw for what is undoubtedly one of
the must see shows of 2012.
It's great to have them back . .
Setlist - Here and Now / You'll Be Sorry / Deeper Shade of
Blue / Last Thing on My Mind / Better Best Forgotten / Love's
Got a Hold on My Heart
/ 5, 6, 7, 8 / Summer of Love / Better the Devil You Know / Judas
(Lady Gaga cover) -Solo Section: Moves Like Jagger / S&M (Lee),
One Night Only (Faye), Don't Stop Believin' (H), Heaven / Beautiful
People / Lately (Lisa), I Surrender (Claire) / It's the Way You Make Me Feel /
Heartbeat /When I Said Goodbye / One for Sorrow / Stomp / Chain Reaction /
Dancing Queen /Tragedy
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