YOU could have your own personal request sung by possibly the most romantic voice of the 80s when Tony Hadley brings his By Request show to Pacific Road Arts Centre in Birkenhead on Friday, April 28. 'It's a little bit different and well out-side my comfort zone,' said Tony. 'Rehearsing for it has been a nightmare because we have no idea what's going to be selected.' By Request is a show of parts. the first is a well-oiled set during which the audience can write down their requests and post them in a box at the front of the stage. The second half sees Tony and his band perform the 12 most requested songs. 'The field is not totally open, however,' he said. 'At the beginning we give the audience 80 songs to choose from. 'It includes classics from my time with Spandau Ballet including True, Gold and Through the Barricades, songs I love like Bob Seger's We Got Tonight and some I grew up with like Be Bop Deluxe's Maid in Heaven. 'I was looking for a show that was more than just standing there, singing, quoting a few items from the local paper and reeling off some stock banter between songs. 'Then I remembered a show I saw Bruce Hornsby perform years ago where he got bored and asked the audience to shout out songs and he performed them. 'It was amazing, so when I was looking for inspiration, that's where I found it. 'When people make their requests, they should put their names on them and if there is a story associated with the song, outline it so I can tell everyone who the song is for and why. 'Touring smaller venues means I can chat to the audience more and make the show more personal for them. 'It is the right time to do this because I've been in the business for 25 years now and, after the big gigs, it is nice to get close to the fans again. 'It's hard work though. Learning 80 songs is hard enough but not knowing which ones you are going to play is really weird. 'Some of the Spandau stuff I have always done, but there are songs I haven't performed for 15 years and I can't remember how they go! 'It'll be all right on the night though and I love touring so I should have plenty of fun.' For ticket details contact Pacific Road box office on 0151 647 0752. | 
