It’s hard to believe Billy Ocean achieved his first chart success 49 years ago, or that his landmark album Suddenly has just turned 40. Yet here we are, on a wet Monday night in Liverpool, celebrating these very milestones.
First, though, was the support act: Ada Morghe is a German-born singer-songwriter, actress, and author. Supported by a guitarist and bass player, she played a half-hour set comprising songs from her current album Pure Good Vibes. Her blend of jazz, soul, pop, and reggae certainly found favour with the audience.
As the house lights dimmed, the backdrop simply read BILLY OCEAN, projected in a series of colours. The band entered from stage left and began to play ‘One World,’ the title track from his 2020 album. Billy shuffled onstage and began singing, sending the packed house wild. Clearly, there were many, many long-time fans in attendance. As the song finished, he stood in a single spotlight, obviously enjoying the huge ovation. Then the opening chords of ‘Love Really Hurts Without You’ sent the audience over the top. Everyone was on their feet, singing along. A wet Monday night at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool, felt like a Saturday night at the Empire Theatre anywhere.
At 75 years old, Billy looked extremely dapper in a blue worsted suit, white tie, and matching pocket square. His long grey dreadlocks only added to his obvious charisma. He took his time between songs, engaging with the audience with an easy charm. ‘Nights (Feel Like Getting Down)’ and ‘Stay the Night’ followed, before the next crowd-pleaser from the 1970s, ‘Red Light Spells Danger,’ during which he had the audience singing back to him.
He mentioned where the tour had played so far, including Manchester, which was greeted with a chorus of playful boos. He went on to say that he was an honorary member of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. ‘Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car,’ ‘The Colour of Love,’ and a soulful cover of Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’ came next. After a little more chat, he sang ‘Mystery’ and, what the audience had been waiting for, ‘Suddenly.’ Love was definitely in the air. ‘Loverboy’ and ‘When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going’ closed out the set.
Billy left the stage to an ovation he fully deserved. Naturally, there was an encore. Before singing, he introduced his band, who had backed him magnificently. Standout performers included David Baptiste on saxophone, Sonia Konate on guitar, his daughter Cherie Charles on backing vocals, and the entire horn section.
The encore featured ‘Daylight’ and, of course, ‘Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run).’ The audience could not have asked for more.
Legendary is a term too easily banded about these days but Billy Ocean is arguably the most internationally successful Black British male solo artist of his generation, an artist who paved the way for many that followed, and who is a legendary figure in music history.
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 23.06.2025
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