Rick Astley and Gabrielle rolled into the Utilita Arena with a show that knew exactly what it was doing, and, crucially, knew exactly who it was for. Having grown up in the 1980s, with Rick soundtracking my teens – and, a decade or so on, Gabrielle giving us a generational song in Out Of Reach, as heard on the Bridget Jones soundtrack – this was a throwback treat.
Gabrielle got one of those warm Welsh welcomes that artists always bang on about – less wild and more properly attentive, the kind where people actually listen. Her set leaned into that: smooth, unfussy and vocally locked-in. Dreams landed exactly where it should, with pockets of the crowd singing like it’s still 1993, while others sort of swayed along, pint in hand, easing into the night. You forget how many hits she’s had, and her voice is still spot on.
Then the Astley comes on, and the whole room shifts up a gear. With a hook and a chorus, it suddenly becomes a full-on karaoke, and the packed-out arena loves every minute. He’s been in business for such a long time now – from his mac-wearing days as an awkward and self-aware youth, to a megastar and fully fledged national treasure. He’s funny, chatty, makes jokes, and leans into it all, and the room buys in completely. And, for an added bonus, he’s donning his tradmark pastel suits.
Musically, it’s tight: big band, slick production (maybe a bit too slick in places), zero corners cut. The sound gets a little muddy, but that’s more down to the arena acoustics. There’s that classic split, diehards belting everything, others happily seated until the big-hitters land, at which point everyone chimes in. It feels good and uplifting: concerts like this are what we need.
And then – obviously – Never Gonna Give You Up. No surprises, the audience is loving it as this full-on arena acoustic session is marked by Rick skipping happily across the stage.
Rick Astley + Gabrielle, Utilita Arena, Cardiff, Tue 21 Apr
words ANTONIA LEVAY photos KEVIN PICK
