There was a real sense of excitement in the air tonight in the queue outside London's O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, for none other than record producer, musician and living legend, Trevor Horn & His Band, the man who invented the 80’s. This ultra special gig was unsurprisingly sold out, with tickets like gold dust to acquire. Indeed, two friends of mine it transpired, had bought there's months ago to secure themselves prime position at the front. Such is Trevor's pulling power, so take heed in future. You have been warned!

Supporting Horn tonight was Belouis Some and his band, who is well known for a number of UK and worldwide hits from the 80's. An edgy lyricist, such as the complex 'Jerusalem', his so catchy 'Some People' and the wonderful 'Imagination', had the audience singing and dancing away. Sporting the fashionable shaved barnet and shades of men of a certain cool age, plus leather jacket, Belouis cut a cool, expressive and energetic figure on stage.

His compositions were illustrative of 80's New Wave Synth-Pop that still endures, although his set list was more than a delivery of retro hits, which also included 'Let It Be With You', 'Walk Away', 'My Body', 'Animal Practice' and 'Target Practice'. Indeed, Some’s passionate vocality this evening expressed lyrical content that is still so relevant today. He has toured in the USA this year and is worth listening to, not just for the nostalgia factor. With a tight band around him, Belouis delivered a great performance and I’d see him again for sure!

Multi-award winner, including the Brits, Grammy’s and Ivor Novello for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, Trevor Horn is music royalty. I have such respect for Trevor, as any music that he produces, plays and/or is involved in, is of the highest quality. Horn was the go to producer who shaped the careers and defined so many artists, such as Grace Jones, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Seal, ABC, Dollar plus so many others. Indeed, the world danced, played, partied, sung, made love and babies to his stable of artists music.

Having formed ZTT records with his late, lovely, likeable, intelligent, charismatic and business savvy wife, Jill Sinclair Horn, together they changed society for the better and for the world. Jill ‘s memory deservedly lives on through the recordings and music of the 80’s with its worldwide reach. And very fittingly, the tone and echoes of that era, with her contribution and force of nature, shone brightly through Trevor along with his accomplished musicians this evening.

In fact, Jill actually chose the name of Trevor’s 1970’s band Buggles, that spawned the super hit 'Video Killed the Radio Star' which sold millions worldwide. Indeed, this classic, that reached number 1 in 16 different countries and chart topped across the globe, followed on from tonight's opener and cover of Frankie's 'Two Tribes'.

With his unique backstory narrative, Horn not only impressed on bass, but was also so at ease on stage with Lol Crème of renowned 10cc fame, and their warm friendship and banter delighted the audience. Cue their cover of 'The Dean and I' as Creme duly joked, “Do I know this one? It’s a lotta words and a lot of chords" as Horn's band featuring Lol on vocals and lead guitar, effortlessly performed this 10cc classic.

Next up was Jakko Jakszyk who sang a superb version of the emotive globally renowned song, 'The Power of Love', that saw the King Crimson guitarist holding the stage with his beautiful voice, as well as a wonderful keyboard accompaniment from Simon Blur underpinning this Frankie Goes To Hollywood hit. Yet another FGTH classic, 'Relax', also featured later in this solid gold set list, sung by newcomer vocalist Roberto Agrisano', who looked like a young Marc Almond.

Horn also made musical history this century when he produced in 2002 the Russian duo t.A.Tu's single 'All The Things She Said' (of whom Trevor described the girls as “very sweet”) that got to no.1 in the UK, Australia, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland. It also reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100, being the first Russian act to have a top 40 single. What was even more remarkable is that the duo could not speak English at the time! A video of the song on YouTube also won a Vevo Certified Award in 2016 for reaching 100 million views. Tonight, singers Izzy Chase and Florence Rawlings both gave an energetic fresh performance to this historic single and song. Horn also clearly had great fun tonight playing other Buggles hits on stage with his band, such as 'Living in the Plastic Age', 'Clean Clean' as well as the only song written about 'Elstree'!

This amazing evening then segued into its last special segment, with special guest and UK born Seal, who had flown in especially all the way from Los Angeles. To see Seal sing play guitar and perform was awesome, starting with one of my all time favourites, and made famous by Grace Jones, 'Slave to the Rhythm'. So edgy, with its sexy chord changes and beat, I loved Seal singing this song as well as the slick arrangement wrapped around his vocals. Hit after hit followed, again sung by Seal, such as his cover of Yes's 'Owner of a Lonely Heart', that had the crowd singing along. And then another one of my all time personal favourites, 'Kiss From A Rose” (I even have the musical score), which was magical to see and hear him perform this classic composition up close, playing his guitar and encouraging the audience to sing back, which of course we all did.

Credit must also be given to Musical Director Julian Hinton on keyboards for the musical arrangement this evening as well as Ash Soan, who’s drumming was first class! Indeed, I’m still reeling from hit after hit single from this platinum performance, and so too are my friends! Trevor Horn, you changed the world with your music across the world. And your magnificent, magnetic, musical influence endures. I salute you and your band’s collective talent. An exceptional evening and historic gig to close off 2025.

Review, Video and Photos: Denise Lester