Review: Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott carry on regardless of the rain and shine in St Helens

It was a historic occasion for the town as not only was it the first concert to take place at the Totally Wicked Stadium, but the first time that Jacqui had played back in her hometown.

Playing to a record-breaking crowd of more than 18,500 people, Paul & Jacqui, The Lathums and The Proclaimers made sure that it was a night to remember for those who braved the July showers.

READ > Jacqui Abbott 'honoured' to play record-breaking St Helens gig with Paul Heaton

Crowds gathering at the Totally Wicked Stadium (Pic: Dave Gillespie)

Formed just a few miles down the road, Wigan band The Lathums opened up for the night and showed just why the four-piece are so highly rated in musical circles.

Showing off tracks from their debut Number One album, singer Alex Moore's voice carried beautifully around the stadium as the band switched from catchy pop tunes to rollicking numbers electrified with guitar solos.

Scottish rockers The Proclaimers followed the rising indie stars, bringing the crowd into full voice with their collection of acoustic anthems.

The atmosphere peaked by the time the twin brothers played 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' at the end of their set, with it almost impossible not to sing along with its irresistibly catchy chorus.

The Proclaimers on stage (Pic: Dave Gillespie)

To the delight of the St Helens crowd, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott came on stage to the tune of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' just as the night started to turn to dusk.

Opening up with a Housemartins classic 'Get Up Off Our Knees', fans were in full voice after the band followed this up with 'Old Red Eyes Is Back'.

Paul and Jacqui came on stage to 'When the Saints Go Marching In' (Pic: Dave Gillespie)

After a few tracks confirmed the band and crowd were in fine form, Paul, who first played in St Helens at the Bull pub 37 years ago, quipped: "Welcome to St Helens; home of St Helens rugby league, home of Pilkington Glass, home of Jacqui Abbott."

Unsurprisingly, this received rapturous applause from Jacqui's home crowd and marked a special moment for the Sutton Heath singer - whose family and friends were all in attendance.

The night was a special occasion for Jacqui, who had never played in her hometown before (Pic: Dave Gillespie)

Following delicate track 'Still' from Paul & Jacqui's new album 'N.K-Pop', the pair highlighted how well their voices work together with a string of Beautiful South classics.

Almost 30 years after meeting outside an old St Helens nightclub, it's hard to say their harmonies were anything short of perfect as they rattled off 'Song for Whoever', 'Rotterdam (Or Anywhere)', 'Don't Marry Her', and 'A Little Time'.

With 80s Housemartins hit 'Happy Hour' following shortly afterwards, there was nothing the rain could do to stop the Totally Wicked Stadium erupting into full party mode.

About last night….🤩

Do we have a few sore heads this morning? 😅@PaulHeatonSolo @jamabing pic.twitter.com/aZy1VDymz1

— Totally Wicked Stadium (@twstadium) July 23, 2022

Paul Heaton first played in St Helens in the Bull pub 37 years ago (Pic: Dave Gillespie)

After Jacqui thanked the crowd for coming down and withstanding the rain, it was apt that the band finished their set with 'Good as Gold (Stupid as Mud)' as tens of thousands chanted they will "carry on regardless".

Following huge applause and standing ovations from those in seats, the band then treated fans to 'Perfect 10', 'You Keep It All In', and 'Think for a Minute' in their encore, and finished with 'Caravan of Love' to the backdrop of fireworks.

Celebrations towards the end of the gig

With echoes of the Beautiful South songs still being sung outside the stadium, it was evident that Jacqui's homecoming gig was something special, and may even be the start of an exciting new chapter for St Helens.

Despite the wet weather, it showed that the town has the capacity to host such large-scale events and attract big musical names on a perhaps annual basis.

As the Housemartins lyric goes; what a good place to be.

The gig was played to a record breaking attendance at The Totally Wicked Stadium