British band Spandau Ballet’s one-night concert today, Sept. 21, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, marks the first time it will perform in Manila since its heyday in the 1980s.
Composed of lead singer Tony Hadley, guitarist Gary Kemp, bassist Martin Kemp, saxophonist Steve Norman and drummer John Keeble, the group arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Sunday, Sept. 20.
All five members are in their mid-50s, which means they still have the energy to relive the best years of their band, which started out playing funk and soul in the late ’70s until hitting worldwide fame in 1983 with a hit pop album, “True,” whose title track went to No. 1 in many countries, with another single, “Gold,” reaching No. 2.
The band released more albums and toured extensively before breaking up in 1990.
Its members pursued various interests, fought in court over song royalties, but reunited in 2009.
Its Manila concert is part of a world tour, “Soul Boys of the Western World,” in support of a 2014 documentary which looks back on the band’s roots, popularity, and the millieu that influenced its music.