Review: Tom Jones, TK Maxx Summer Sessions, Guildhall Square, Southampton

Review: Tom Jones, TK Maxx Summer Sessions, Guildhall Square, Southampton

Published on
By Katie Isham.
Actual Tom Jones?
Several people I told about my upcoming Saturday night date in Guildhall Square couldn’t quite believe it.
Yes, actual Tom Jones I’d affirm.
The Welsh legend.
The 84-year-old superstar.
The object of many affections (Nan would be very jealous if she was still with us).
Kicking off the TK Maxx Summer Sessions in hip shaking style was the man himself.
And Sir Tom Jones, despite his age, definitely brought the style to Southampton.
Before the gates opened, queues of people snaked past the guildhall, waiting patiently to be entertained. Above, the sun peeked out briefly before the clouds rolled back in. The heavens threatened but we got away with a light sprinkle before the main act. Love these “summer” sessions!
Canadian singer-songwriter Storry warmed the crowd up on this rather chilly June evening. But if I’m honest, it was too cold for me and I was warming myself up elsewhere. I caught her last song and she had a rather striking red pvc outfit that would warm a few hearts.
The next support act was Germein, three Australian sisters who engaged the crowd with their driving choruses and foot-stomping basslines. They also had fantastic motifed outfits and now I need an orange netted petticoat. By the end of their set, the clouds had parted and the sun was out for a lovely moment where they split the crowd to involve us in their dreamy harmonies.
Then it was time for the main man.
He began fittingly with I’m Growing Old, a moving lament from his 2021 album Surrounded by Time. A full spotlight on him and the piano accompanying, we knew we were in for a classy show. A Bob Dylan cover of a similar contemplative tone followed. Tom’s not shy about talking about his advancing years, becoming a theme of the night.
At this point, he mentioned his recent birthday and the crowd dutifully sang happy birthday back to the smiling octogenarian.
And then the party really started. Tom’s musical director Gary messed around on the congas which transitioned into It’s Not Unusual. This really got the crowd singing and dancing, although many didn’t need any encouragement. What’s New Pussycat? swiftly followed and Guildhall Square became a mass karaoke party.
Then things calmed down a notch and we were treated to some of the most beautiful versions of a selection of songs, one of which, incongruously, was Sex Bomb. This usual party anthem started slow and bluesy, as if it was reimagined as a Bond theme. A real showcase for Tom’s soul vocal range.
Halfway through, the tempo picked up and thousands of middle aged funsters were singing and thrusting along to how they needed to explode. The crowd loved it.
The slower pace returned for the Green Green Grass of Home and the several Welsh flags were held aloft. Tom also treated us to a few covers. That man loves telling stories and mentioning his superstar friends.
The standout track here was the goosebump inducing (not just because of the blustery wind) I Won’t Crumble. Another from his Surrounded by Time album, this is a powerful song of love and support. And Sir Tom’s voice peeled it through the Southampton skies, bringing us all to a standstill.
More singalongs followed, including Delilah and finishing with a tribute to Prince with Tom’s famous version of Kiss.
But the show wasn’t over. The encore began with a poignant version of One Hell of a Life. Despite him saying he was looking forward to continuing to tour in the years to come, you can’t help but think Tom Jones is winding down. I guess it’s impossible to reach that age, and to achieve the feats he has without becoming reflective.
This ethereal, eulogising anthem held everyone by the heart. Yet the tone wasn’t solemn; it was a celebration of a life well lived and days loved.
The party rolled on with the rock ‘n’ roll / gospel / blues / boogie woogie song Strange Things and then finishing on Johnny B. Goode. Our good Sir couldn’t help but drop in a conversation he had about Chuck Berry with Elvis Presley. (Did you know Tom knew Elvis?)
The whole square was rock and rolling with gusto by the time Sir Tom and his band took their final bows. What a class act they were. The song might reflect on One Hell of a Life, but the revellers of Southampton Guildhall Square were treated to one hell of a night this Saturday. God bless Sir Tom Jones. The youngsters that follow in the rest of the Summer Sessions will have one hell of an act to follow.