ALSO SEE:
Limahl announcing the reunion gig
Limahls thoughts on the reunion gig
Limahls statement on no Kajagoogoo reunion
After Gig Fan Photos

Review by Debbie

Yesterday Marc and I had the pleasure of attending the Kajagoogoo reunion recording for VH-1. I have to admit to having had strong reservations about this gig beforehand, part of me felt that I should be leaving Kajagoogoo firmly in the 80’s where they belonged but the curious, maybe even nosy part of me decided that I had to be there. I have seen Limahl Live quite a few times and although I have enjoyed his renditions of 80’s classics there has always been something missing, I so wanted to hear songs such as Hang On Now but have had to make do with Too Shy (without the band) and his own Never Ending Story. I was never fortunate enough to see the original line up perform live in the 80’s so this was a chance not to be missed.

The audience was made up of family, friends and fans of the band, also a few people who try to attend anything which is 80’s related. Even their children were there although as the club is for over 18’s they watched from a room above the hall.

The gig started with the four band members, Nick (in a kilt), Steve, Stuart and Jez (shirtless) and I couldn’t believe my ears when the familiar strains of the Kajagoogoo theme tune wafted over us. Limahl (in Jeans and a nice stripy shirt) joined them on stage for the chant “K-A-J-A G Double O, G Double O…etc) and we all chanted along with them, all of a sudden 20 years didn’t seem so long ago.

I know that next two songs were Hang on Now and Too Shy but can’t remember the order.

Hang On Now which is one of my favourites from White Feathers, I love the keyboards on it. Near the end of the song Limahl’s eyes filled up with tears and as it drew to an end he was quite overcome with emotion and he and Nick Beggs hugged. The audience cheered loudly with appreciation at this and I must say that my own eyes became dewy.

Too Shy, I have always loved the opening bars of this song, and I think it stands as one the best intro’s of any song I have ever heard - Pure genius. It was that sound which started my love of music and I am always listening for that special something in other people’s songs – anyway I digress – I have seen Limahl sing this song on many occasions but there has always been something missing. That wasn’t the case last night though, all the pieces fitted together at last. Limahl encouraged the audience to sing along which we all did very willingly.

Before the next song Limahl talked about how the gig had come about, he told us that four years ago the band had got together for talks and that it hadn’t worked out but that it had taken VH-1 to finally persuade them. He then passed the microphone to Jez who described how VH-1 had tricked him into coming to the Scala, Jez owns a music hire business called Atlantic Hire and he was asked to come and supply some equipment for a band, Jez asked who the band were and was told “Kajagoogoo”.

Limahl then told us that his father had recently passed away and that the timing of VH-1’s request to reunite the band had co-incided with his return from being with his family after his father’s death so I think we should be grateful that he agreed.

Limahl went on to explain how he had pointed VH-1 in the direction of Nick Beggs website and Nick told a funny, completely untrue story about how VH-1 contacted him.

The next song was a surprise to us, the band, as a goodwill gesture to Limahl had agreed to let him sing Never Ending Story, Limahl was obviously very grateful for this and afterwards Stuart said something like “it’s actually not a bad song”. Limahl was accompanied by a lovely lady whose name escapes me I am afraid, and of course the band provided the music.

Limahl then apologised for the short set but after the audience chanted for more they repeated Too Shy.

To sum up the gig, there did seem to be some warmth between all the guys and even if it was just put on for the camera’s they did a fine job – you would never have guessed that it had been 20 years since they had all been together on the one stage. Limahl seemed to be having a good time and it was great to see him with the band