Dave Stewart, the Eurythmics Songbook, Sunderland Empire Theatre 10 November 2023

Dave Stewart, the Eurythmics Songbook, Sunderland Empire Theatre 10 November 2023 An ageing well old hippy Sunderland storyteller goes to see another ageing well Sunderland lad.

I have lots of fond memories of seeing Dave Stewart in many incarnations. First, in local folk rock band Longdancer at Sunderland Locarno (the Mecca; see later) in the early 1970s. Then, some years on, with Annie Lennox in the Tourists again at Sunderland Locarno, at Newcastle City Hall and at the Reading Festival. Further on in his career, I was lucky enough to see Eurythmics perform at Newcastle City Hall. I also recall seeing Dave Stewart join Fergal Sharkey on stage for an encore at Newcastle City Hall, on Fergal's first solo tour after leaving the Undertones.

I then saw Dave with Ringo Starr at the opening of the Capital of Culture in Liverpool, which was also the opening concert at the new venue, Liverpool Arena. Since then, I have seen him perform at a couple of homecoming concerts, one previous concert at Sunderland Empire and more recently at the new Sunderland music venue The Fire Station. All great shows and great memories.

This time Dave Stewart returned to Sunderland Empire to perform another homecoming show, this time showcasing "the Eurythmics Songbook" drawing from his back catalogue of great songs which he wrote with Annie Lennox. The theatre was, quite rightly, jampacked and everyone was excited about seeing Dave Stewart back home performing those great classic tunes. I met many good friends at the concert; it was nice to catch up on old times.

Dave Stewart has done pretty well for a lad from Sunderland. He has sold in excess of 100 million albums worldwide. He has also played with some of the biggest names in the business. It is great that he remembers his roots, and this return home concert was much anticipated by the people of Sunderland.

The Sunderland Empire advertised the show thus: "Eurythmics Songbook tour marks the first time in more than 20 years that fans can see a full length show of Eurythmics classics - performed on tour by Stewart and a full live band. Dave Stewart, the award-winning singer, songwriter, musician, producer, innovator and Eurythmics co-founder, is set to captivate audiences across Europe once again.

Featuring Dave alongside an all-female band of virtuoso singers and musicians, the tour promises to take fans on a nostalgic and electrifying musical journey spanning four decades of the iconic musical partnership's ground-breaking hits. Celebrating a remarkable 40 years since the release of the timeless Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This), Eurythmics, known for their unique blend of synth-pop, new wave, soul and rock, have sold over 75 million albums worldwide since their 1980's debut and have become enduring icons of popular music."

As mentioned above, Stewart has assembled an all-female band of excellent musicians and singers who helped him perform the Eurythmics hits. The singers, one of whom was Dave's daughter, were all tremendous and delivered the goods in recreating and reimagining the vocals performed previously by Annie Lennox.

The hits just kept on coming: "There Must be an Angel", "I Saved the World Today", "Thorn In My Side", "Here Comes The Rain Again" and many, many more. I had forgotten just how many great songs this band had recorded. Dave was resplendent in silver suit, but still very much a Sunderland lad. He reminisced of going to the Mecca and old times in Sunderland.

Very much a front man for much of the show, Dave Stewart also alternated between centre stage and stepping back, allowing the great musicians around him to take the lead.

The evening was brought to a close with an encore of "Sweet Dreams", accompanied by a deluge of red-and-white (of course) tickertape falling from the rafters. Very appropriate. By now the entire Empire crowd was up on its feet, singing along, going absolutely crazy. Another great evening spent with a true Sunderland legend. Bought myself a T-shirt as a memento, which I am proudly wearing today as I write this.

Setlist: Take Me to Your Heart / Never Gonna Cry Again / The Walk / This City Never Sleeps; It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back); Love Is a Stranger; I Love You Like a Ball and Chain; I Need a Man; You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart; I Saved the World Today; Who's That Girl?; There Must Be an Angel (Playing With My Heart); The Miracle of Love; Thorn in My Side;  When Tomorrow Comes; Here Comes the Rain Again; When the Day Goes Down; Missionary Man; Would I Lie to You?; Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves; Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)