On May 30th, legendary Scottish musician and songwriter Midge Ure brought a nostalgic, polished and deeply enjoyable show to Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall.
The all-seated theatre was packed well before Ure and his band arrived on stage, with the audience clearly ready for an evening of classic songs, strong musicianship and memories stretching across several decades.
The performance began with the four members of Ure’s live band walking on stage one by one, before Midge himself appeared, dressed simply in black trousers and a black turtleneck sweater. It was an understated entrance that suited the tone of the night perfectly. From the start, the show felt classy, focused and entirely built around the music.
Ure’s performance carried a quiet confidence throughout, but the enthusiasm of the crowd clearly helped lift the energy in the room. Midway through the set, he joked that he is “an 18-year-old who’s desperately trying to break free,” a line that drew a huge reaction from the audience. From that moment, the atmosphere noticeably shifted. What had begun as a seated, attentive concert gradually became something more celebratory, with people standing, dancing and singing along.
It was wonderful to watch the mood of the evening change as the show progressed — moving from respectful appreciation to full audience participation. Unsurprisingly, some of the biggest moments came with the best-known songs. “Vienna” and “Dancing With Tears in My Eyes” inspired the loudest singalongs and cheers of the night, while “Fade to Grey,” “The Voice” and “Hymn” were also greeted with huge affection.
By the closing stretch, no one seemed to be sitting down. From the front rows to the balconies, the Royal Concert Hall had turned into a joyful celebration of Ure’s remarkable catalogue. Even the security staff appeared to be enjoying the musicianship, nodding along to the beat as the crowd danced around them.
This was a wonderfully performed show from Midge Ure and his band — elegant, nostalgic and uplifting in all the right ways. Nottingham clearly welcomed him warmly, and judging by the reaction in the room, many would be very happy to see him return.
Setlist:
A Different View
Again We Love
Call of the Wild
Accent on Youth
The Ascent
Your Name (Has Slipped My Mind Again)
Astradyne
Wastelands
Man of Two Worlds
Lament
Monster
Vienna
Reap the Wild Wind
If I Was
The Voice
Fade to Grey
Dancing With Tears in My Eyes
Yellow Pearl
Hymn
