Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, Genting Arena, Birmingham - review
Where did it all go wrong for Pete Tong?! Twenty five years of bringing dance music to the masses on Radio One. Devoted fans following him from LA to Ibiza. And even being honoured with a MBE.
If you've never seen him DJ, chances are you've at least used the Cockney rhyming slang.
For his legions of fans Pete Tong has come to symbolise UK dance culture.
A culture that has ebbed and flowed through acid house raves, the rise of the super club to today's mass market EDM.
But despite these changes, Tong has remained a constant taste-maker.
And it's not just the DJ booth where he has reigned.
Last year he was invited to take part in the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and bring a classical edge to some of dance's biggest tracks through the decades.
Classic tracks were reworked to look back on 20 years of Radio One's annual pilgrimage to the White Isle.
And now Tong has returned to work with the Heritage Orchestra led by Jules Buckley again for a tour which arrived at Birmingham's Genting Arena last night.
It was literally a family experience for those gathered to worship the great man.
Dads talking to their kids of clubbing at Birmingham's legendary Miss Moneypenny's nights at Bonds.
Groups of friends leaving work behind to relive their misspent youth.
But also teenagers who still follow the pied piper of dance and love the classics.
Tong appears behind the assembled 60-strong orchestra for the show with visuals captivating the crowd.
And it was always going to be one big nostalgia trip.
An achingly brilliant version of Moby - Porcelain was a highlight alongside new versions of tracks by ATB and Eric Prydz.
The orchestra were ably supported by singers Sam White, Brendan Reilly and Vila Malinda including on a superb Daft Punk edit.
But it wasn't just a look back. The show was brought bang up-to-date with guest spots by chart stars Jessie Ware and Ella Eyre and a spin for a track championed by Tong by Danish DJ Kolsch called Grey.
The night rose to a crescendo with one of the biggest cheers of the night to Energy 52's Cafe Del Mar played with a blissful film beaming out showing the blue seas and golden sunset in Ibiza.
Soul diva Candi Staton then joined the orchestra on stage to perform her seminal track You've Got The Love before Tong and Buckley were persuaded to go for a second encore of Faithless' Insomnia.
Club culture may have its detractors including fears for the future of many much-loved venues in the UK but Tong proved its popularity is as strong as ever as raving is a state of mind.
By Andrew Turton
