Few artists have the bounce back ability of Matt Goss, but since returning to London from Las Vegas he’s enjoyed a winning streak that shows no sign of slowing down.
Arriving back on British soil last spring, the Bros frontman’s first album in almost a decade, ‘The Beautiful Unknown’, was a surprise success, peaking in the UK Top 10 and securing the highest chart placement of his solo career to date.
Following a stint on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in the autumn he launched into 2023 by announcing ‘The Matt Goss Experience’, which kicked off in style as the eighties poster boy’s most devout followers packed out the Royal Albert Hall for his opening show.
Picking up where he left off in Sin City – where Matt had performed his hit residency at venues including Caesar’s Palace and The Mirage – the seasoned star looked slick in a sharp black suit as he launched into the evening, backed by his 15-Piece MG Big Band and musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
Consisting primarily of cuts from the Great American Songbook with an emphasis on the work of Cole Porter, the self-styled British Sinatra segued between standards, opening with Let’s Do It (Let’s Fall In Love) and delivering standout takes on Fly Me to the Moon, Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye and Love For Sale, working the stage and showcasing his standout vocals.
Heavy with big numbers, changes of pace like a tender rendition of Nature Boy, made famous by Nat King Cole, offered a breath of fresh air in a dense set, while selections from his own repertoire – although few and far between – added some much needed variety and recaptured the attention of casual fans longing for the classics.
With only two Bros numbers in the set – signature anthem When Will I Be Famous? and the chart-topping I Owe You Nothing – his 2013 release Mustang and recent single The Beautiful Unknown proved crowd pleasers and were a sure sign that, when he takes the show on the road this spring, a couple more tracks from his own catalogue would be welcomed.
But come the end of the night, there was an overwhelming sense of satisfaction from an audience who had fought their way to the show in spite of tube strikes, with calls for a second encore so fierce that Matt didn’t even bother to leave the stage, instead launching straight into a rendition of My Way that, while expected, bore a particular poignance in light of his recent career renaissance.
Staged in two halves with a 25-minute intermission, ‘The Matt Goss Experience’ lives up to its own hype; less a traditional concert, it’s an invitation to dig out something fabulous to wear, indulge in a drink or two, and settle in for an evening of exceptional entertainment from one of the country’s most enduring and successful artists to emerge from the past four decades.
‘The Matt Goss Experience’ resumes March 28 in Sheffield, with dates running through April. For ticket info, visit mattgosstour.com.
