Not only was tonight’s show day four of Music Room 10: 2015–2025, the venue’s 10th anniversary celebration, but it was also the first night of Robinson and Phillips’ tour.
The show opened with a short film presented by Richard Haswell, Head of Programme & Events for the Philharmonic Hall, about the Music Room. He then introduced the opening act, south London-born singer-songwriter Gabrielle Sey, who played a twenty-minute set comprising six songs, including her new single ‘Colour Blind’. An engaging stage presence with an emotionally powerful voice, she reminded me of Joan Armatrading. Her songs had a quiet intensity and tackled themes of love and identity, while her rich vocal tones added weight to her lyrics.
After a short break to reset the stage, Robinson and Phillips came out to huge applause. Robinson settled on a stool to the right of Phillips, explaining that he had recently been diagnosed with a hernia so couldn’t stand as he normally would. The duo launched into ‘Boom Time’, a vitriolic take on social injustice and weariness in a post-Thatcher Britain that, sadly, remains relevant today.
The format of the show was Robinson telling an anecdote about a song before he and Phillips performed it. ‘What If We Live to Be Fifty’, he joked, had been updated to eighty, given that he is now 75.
Next, he recounted a concert he was part of in 2000, ‘For the Benefit of Mr Adrian Henri’, celebrating the legendary Liverpool poet. Brian Patten, another Liverpool poet, had read some of his poetry at the eventso; since Patten had only recently passed away, Robinson read his poem ‘Pipe Dream’ in tribute. After telling a story about having to keep his sexuality secret, the duo played a cover of The Beatles’ You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.
Robinson’s career has taken some unexpected turns over the years, not least composing songs with Elton John. Sitting at the keyboard, he sang ‘Elton’s Song’, for which he had written the lyrics about being in love with another man who didn’t even notice him.
Phillips, who had accompanied Robinson superbly thus far, was then given the opportunity to sing himself, performing a lovely version of James Taylor’s ‘Frozen Man’. For those who might not know, Phillips is one of those “behind-the-scenes” musicians, an unsung hero but highly respected in the industry and in demand for both touring and studio work. The list of artists he’s played with includes Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Cher, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, and Boyzone.
The next song was ‘Spain’ from Robinson’s 1986 album Still Loving You.
It’s hard to believe that a performer with Robinson’s record of activism was invited to play at an Eton College assembly, but invited he was. It’s less surprising that he chose to play ‘Yuppie Scum’ to the children of Britain’s leading establishment figures.
The first half of the show closed with what has become Robinson’s signature tune, ‘Glad to Be Gay’. Released in early 1978, at the height of his fame and less than ten years after homosexuality was legalised in the UK, Robinson was the first gay rock star to be out and proud. The BBC, of course, banned the record. In the years since, Robinson has updated the lyrics to reflect the ongoing struggles the LGBTQ+ community faces, so the song remains as relevant today as it was in 1978. It’s an audience favourite too, as shown by the sheer gusto with which they sing along to its anthemic chorus.
It’s worth noting that there is a website dedicated to the song that features many versions, https://gladtobegay.net/
The second half of the show began with Robinson’s “punk American Pie”, ‘Days’, a song that walks through the history of punk rock and other moments when rock music thought it had changed the world. The lyrics have been updated to reflect the current political situation in America.
Robinson then paid tribute to his original guitarist, Danny Kustow, who passed away in 2019, with the song ‘Too Good to Be True’. Phillips’ playing on this was exceptional.
The next two songs were consecutive singles from 1983: ‘War Baby’ and ‘Listen to the Radio (Atmospherics)’.
Robinson never leaves the stage only to return for an encore; instead, he encourages the audience to cheer, which of course they did. He encored with ‘2-4-6-8 Motorway’, after which he and Phillips received a well-deserved standing ovation. There was time for one more, and the audience asked for the fan favourite ‘Martin’, which they duly got.
Robinson built a successful career in radio, presenting shows on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio London, where he has championed emerging artists. Across his career, he has remained a prominent figure in British music and activism. At 75 years of age, he still has the energy to perform, but he can’t go on forever. Catch him while you can.
Tom Robinson and Adam Phillips tour continues until November 8th and tickets are available here,
https://www.tomrobinson.com/gigs/
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 01.10.2025
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