Review: At the Mission, Phil Collins certainly proved he’s ‘not dead yet’
The grounds of Mission Estate were unrecognisable as the green hilled amphitheatre became decorated with an assortment of raincoats and make-shift shelters. It was a kaleidoscope of colour.
The people came – all walks of life, all ages. Some prepared with wet weather gear, others - optimistic for sunshine, and the nonchalant folk scantily clad in summer dresses and jandles.
But the rain, ‘rained down’ on us. Phil Collins joked with his fans, "I could have stayed in England for this!” as he carefully took centre stage and sat in his sodden swivel chair.
Given the weather, plastic ponchos were the fashion item of the day.
The dedication of Hawke’s Bay to celebrate the international icon that Phil Collins is, was awe inspiring. Despite the wet conditions, thousands of faces united in appreciation, lit up and voices sang out as Phil knocked out the opening hit ‘Against all odds’, just one of a 19 song set and a drum trio.
Phil, and his significantly talented band performed other hits such as ‘You can’t hurry love’, ‘Dance into the night’, ‘In the air tonight’, and ‘Invisible touch’. The fans loved it.
A poignant moment was meeting Phil’s son, Nick. At 17 this lad is already an accomplished drummer and pianist. Phil said, "My son, who listened to all of my songs, only liked two”.
Despite the rain, the sell-out crowd loved the show.
Phil and Nick performed a duet on the piano, one of Nick’s two songs he liked, ‘You know what I mean’. It was beautifully executed and touching. Father and son embraced at the end of the song, a special instance that resonated throughout the crowd.
Phil’s physical condition of which he referred to by saying "I have had a back operation and my foot is fucked!” did not affect his powerful voice.
If I closed my eyes, I heard the same voice I had listened to years ago on Top of the Pops, Radio One’s chart show or sitting in the back of dad’s car. Phil’s vocals were as forceful as ever, and memory evoking.
As night fell, the magic began.
It was not just Phil on the stage. Among others, he was joined by four back-up singers, the Vine Street Horns Quartet, and percussionist Richie ‘Gajate’ Garcia.
The energy and friendship that ran through these compelling musicians was electric. There was banter and play. A standout was ‘Easy lover’ where Arnold McCuller and Amy Keys created great amusement, singing at and along with Phil, as he danced in his chair.
Phil, Nick and Richie, pulled the rabbit out the hat when they performed a drum trio. This was extraordinary. To hear one drummer ‘giving it all’ is rousing, but to hear three! This can only be described as a moment of magnificence that provided the icing on the concert cake.
Sarah Cates and Tony Weber, along with 26,000 others, doing their best to stay dry.
Enduring fan Tony Weber said "I have been waiting twenty-five years to see Phil Collins perform live. To have it here in my backyard is a dream come true. It was worth every cent and every second. The rain didn’t dampen the moment for me!”
Despite the weather, the 13 broken bones, the cardiac arrest, and the mess that was left behind, I would say the evening was a blinder. Phil Collins is physically frail, but his voice and presence on the stage is standout. He is certainly ‘not dead yet’!
