The Soldiers – Coming Home Tour
Newcastle City Hall – April 9th 2010
by Paula Usher
A regular to the City Hall in my late teens and early twenties I’d never envisioned myself back here twenty years on been entertained for the evening by three of her majesty’s finest, yet here I was four rows from the front, surrounded by an audience ranging from my ten year old daughter to senior citizens.
On stage was an assortment of instruments waiting for the band, the backdrop, and black with The Soldiers logo in glittery, silver letters with small white and blue lights covering the rest. There were two support acts, the first a classical/crossover act by the name of Lucy Rhodes and the second BGT finalist saxophonist Julian Smith, I liked Julian when he performed on BGT so really enjoyed his performance.
Finally, The Soldiers, starting with tracks from there double platinum album ‘Coming Home’ they sang Tears in Heaven, I’ll Stand By You, He Isn’t Heavy & Lean on Me with little dance steps reminiscent of the 60’s, there was an obvious friendship between the guys which showed itself in the camaraderie, although I did began to think towards the end of the first set that it was more like the Gary Chilton Show with him taking almost all the lead vocals although he sang a touching solo of ‘Bring Him Home’ I really wanted to hear Ryan and Ritchie take on a song of there own. Coming Home completed the first half, the highlight of my night. The Soldiers sang with obvious feeling and pride, accompanied by Julian Smith on saxophone, and with the atmosphere in the venue incredibly emotional it was no surprise when the whole audience rose to there feet for a standing ovation and from where I could see tears both on and off the stage.
After a twenty minute interval The Soldiers this time dressed in grey suits with complimenting black shirt and ties started the second set with a wide selection of different genres which included the Wet Wet Wet hit ‘ Sweet Little Mystery, Elton John’s, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me and my personal favourite The Mavericks, Dance the Night Away which had the crowd up on there feet dancing & clapping and more energetic dancing from the guys. A medley of tracks from Soul Man to My Girl had each of them taking turns in solo spots. Ryan’s solo song, the Enrique Iglesias hit ‘Hero’ came complete with screaming females in the audience, before they all armed themselves with guitars and rocked there way through the Status Quo classic ‘Rockin’ all Over the World (the guitars were not plugged in, I may add).
Finally, ‘Do I Make You Proud’ which will be the new single and the encore Hey Jude and it was over. I can honestly say that throughout the evening the guys seemed to enjoy every minute, the teasing and joking was infectious making them great performers and the audience loved them. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the evening but I had a really great night. Gary, Ryan and Richie were very entertaining and did themselves proud, announcing that so far they have risen in excess of £300,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes and Royal British Legion they certainly have a lot to be proud about.
love all these lads out here for fighting for our freedom it would be a different world without use guys and gals.
hopefully i will be training by the end of next year get out there and do somthing with my life :)
r.i.p to all of the falling soldiers come home safe to the ones still out there love use guy and gals xxx
im 16 my boyfriend is being sent to afganistan, he dosent even know what he's fighting for and he already planned his own funeral at the age of 18. how can that be right.
May this album continue to bring joy to all who hear it. I am proud to say I have it on in my car, and love the first song played loud. May all the lads and lasses out at war be safe, and always in our thoughts. God bless each and everyone of you.
God bless the British army
I'm a proud army mom. I love our military. May they all be safe and come home to their families.
The song Coming home gives me goose pimples and brings tears to my eye's, dont get me wrong I love it but it makes me think about all our young guys away from home, I support our Armed forces and am so proud of all our guys and gals in Afghanistan... god bless all the fallen they will not be forgotten. All the ones still there, keep safe and come home soon.. .I sing the song every day..trully xxxx
Fantastic performnce at the Festival of rembrance
You are so right, lets all keep up the tradition of remembrance. You are young and correct. It is in the hands of younsters to keep this going. I am sure you will
herloo i am 14 years old, my dad is in the army a WO1, and he was sent out to afgan and i missed him terribly i get letters of him and it was so upsetting to know he was that far from me and my sister, glad he is back, and is soo sad to here every day more and more getting killed to protect our countrey weldone lads where all ever soo proud of yous and keep safe!!,
RIP to all that didnt make it back you are never forgoten xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
my son is serving over in afghan at the moment and i prey every day for his safe return along with the rest of his platoon they do a great job out there each and everyone of them a hero. such a great song lads well done the words are fab xx
good song fellas. i'm ex-military, this song brought me to tears. it reminded me of the friends that didnt come back, and makes me proud to have known and served with them.
im 15 years old and my step dads in afgahn atm , home in 26 days ! lookin forward to it so much. missing him like mad it feels like its been forever, lifes been so difficult without him been at home :( this song brought me to tears and both me and my mum adore it, it makes the 26 days seem so sooner. were buying the album as soon as its released ! not long now eh craig we all love and miss you so much you will always be are hero <33 i love you x
Just a great song will be buying the album as soon as it is out
my fella is over in iraq the now, coming home in december - the song makes it seem so much sooner :) i'm excited now
This is one of the most amazingly sung songs ever. Cannot wait to get hold of the album. I have known Gary my whole life because he is my uncle. These 3 men have made a song sound so beautiful and I really hope it leads them to release more amazing music in the future!
just heard the track sent shivers down my spine the words mean everything to all military personnel
my partner is over in afghan at the moment and me and my son pray everyday i just listened to this song and it has given me such a lift its so beautiful and the words are so well choosen i love this song and we are both thinkin of all the soldiers out overseas safe and speedy return
Very moving, lovely word and voices.I like most English people are so proud of our soliders, they do a wonderful job, but not there fight in my eyes.
stunning, moving and utterly fantastic, How proud you make me xx
i'm so proud of all of you. A beautifully written song and so graciously sung.....
I have known Ryan all his life how wonderful to hear this beautiful song he and his fellow soliders have sang.. We are proud of all the brave young men from our village and surrounding areas who are in the forces. This song will give many families hope and comfort. We wish you god speed and love to all of you.
This is so very beatiful....God Bless them all !!
Song is awesome guys, i love it! got a copy on order now but ill be away doing my Army training when it comes out so have to wait till christmas... gud luck with everything x
Love this song, it's amazing
As an ex squaddie this song is absolutely brilliant, cant wait for the album now
As an ex squaddie this song is absolutely brilliant, cant wait for the album now
May 2010
The Soldiers will be playing at the Guilfest Festival 2010 at Stoke Park from 16-18 July. For more information and tickets check out the festival website here.
Febuary 2010
Have you booked your tickets for the official Soldier's tour? Check out our hot deals. The Soldier's will be appearing on stage in a theatre near you.
13 01 10
The Soldiers perform on the Alan Titchmarsh show and receive their double platinum disk. Coming Home was one of the biggest selling albums of 2009.
12 12 09
Check out the brand new video for the Soldier's christmas single: A Soldier's Christmas Letter. The single is out now and 25p goes directly to the Army Benvolent Fund.
21 11 09
The Soldier's album: Coming Home has been certified PLATINUM by the BPI -
08 11 09
The Soldiers album: Coming Home - as stayed in the top 10 this week, despite huge competition from Bon Jovi and The Foo Fighters. Coming Home shifted a massive amount - receiving GOLD CERTIFICATION in sales.
26 10 09
The album has dropped and is available for download and purchase from the highstreet. Buy your copy today, let's get the boys into the charts!
06 10 09
It's arrived. The Soldier'a debut single, Coming Home is now available to download from iTunes, Amazon and Play. Please download today and help get The Soldiers to #1 with their debut single.
01 10 09
Video message from the lads! Check out their video here. The boys wowed a packed house last night at the album press launch. The 3 soldiers sang, He Ain't Heavy, he's my brother, Tears In Heaven and the forthcoming single: Coming Home.
24 09 09
Release date for the single has been announced. You can download The Soldier's debut single "Coming Home" on the 6th October from all digital stores.
22 09 09
The Soldier's debut album: Coming Home, has risen over 11000 places on the AMAZON music chart, in just 1 week. The album is currently at #63 in the Easy Listening Chart. To order your very own copy, click the link to the left.
11 09 09
Catch up with the Soldiers on BBC radio 5 live this evening. Their brand new and debut single: COMING HOME is radio played for the first time. To catch up on the show click here
09 09 09
The Soldiers have their first interview exclusively with the UK's biggest selling daily paper: The Sun Along with the interview is the opportunity to download for FREE the lead song from the album: Coming Home, penned by Jake Hook / Nick Patrick and Jeff Chegwin.
The download will be made available for just 48 hours, so make sure you download while you can. The album is due for release on the 26th October.
08 09 09
Welcome to The Soldier's micro site on JAKEHOOK.com. You can always get back to Jake's website by clicking on the logo in the top left hand corner.
This site is maintained and owned by JAKEHOOK.com To visit the official Soldier's website please visit: www.the-soldiers.co.uk. JAKEHOOK.com is not responsible for external links or the information contained on them. This site is run as part of JAKEHOOK.com's microsite programme which showcases the work from Jake Hook. The debut album of The Soldiers was programmed and arranged by Jake Hook. The debut single "Coming Home" was a co-written with Jake Hook. For more information on Jake Hook please join our mailing list. (opens in a new window) The sound recording is owned by Warner Brothers Records / Rhino / CPW productions.
For more information on JAKE HOOK please click the logo in the top left hand corner or here
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TO YOU ALL,
I send you this short message, you serve with PRIDE AND HONOUR and l send you the same with respect, may the ANGEL of life watch over you all,
Steve