Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. November 13th 2011.

LS. Media Rating ****

It may have been the best part of  two decades since Thomas Dolby had played a live set in the city, however the affection and adoration he still holds within his fan base has never diminished.  This was in evidence as he came out on stage  at the Stanley Theatre to a genuine rapturous applause that was full of warmth  and a desire to hear some of the best loved and quirky music to have been  committed for posterity.

Times have changed since Thomas  Dolby was last on a stage in Liverpool, tastes have waxed and waned and there  are new distractions for some that have taken away from the appeal of live  music, especially for one who acknowledges the time since he last made an album.  With Thomas Dolby though there is no need to fret that he would be rusty as he sailed through a set that contained a few older tracks, a shed load of music  from the excellent new album A Map of the Floating City, and touchingly a couple of surprises that made the hair  stand on end.

Thomas Dolby and his band opened  up an evening of electronic bliss with the track Commercial Breakup from the 1982 album The Golden Age of Wireless before settling down comfortably,  visibly relaxing before the audience’s eyes, and playing songs that made his  time away from the venues of Liverpool seem like weeks rather than years. Calm,  collected and full of anecdotes, Thomas played the hypnotic Nothing New Under the Sun, the amazing Screen Kiss, the wonderfully addictive  tracks Road to Reno and Toad Lickers in a set full of  imaginative and beloved tracks.

The band was in splendid form,  especially bass player Matthew Seligman and guitarist Kevin Armstrong who  played sublimely and added that extra fission to a wonderful evening’s  entertainment.

The crowd were transported back in time to the music that  burst Thomas Dolby on to the scene as he told a story of the late, great Magnus  Pike and how the musician got him to do the backing for his smash hit song She Blinded Me With Science, the song  coming as a total surprise to some in the auditorium and the joy on their faces  was only surpassed as Thomas went on to perform the scintillating Hyperactive.

A night of fond memories and expert musicianship was bought  to a close by the numbers Spice Train with its wonderful eastern feel woven beautifully throughout and the bouncy Silk Pyjamas which bought spontaneous  applause and a desire to not let the gig end.

All good things end though but it’s with hope that Thomas  Dolby remembers this exhilarating gig and comes back sooner rather than later.  There is no doubt he can expect a very warm and passionate welcome.

Ian D. Hall