LIVE REVIEW: Jason Donovan / Chesney Hawkes Derby 2024

The coming together of 2 choral behemoths has been debated far and wide since an announcement earlier this month. Tonight, in Darley Park, Derbyshire, another reunion of sorts has taken over middle-aged adrenaline junkies all celebrating 2 musical ageless titans. With a backing of 80’s karaoke sets whetting the appetite and BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills providing a thumping DJ set, this harks back to 1991 when tonights headline acts were last in the same location playing the Radio 1 Roadshow.

Chesney Hawkes, who first broke onto the scene in Buddys Song, co staring alongside The Who’s Roger Daltrey, the film used as a school educational piece, is probably more well known for his long flowing blonde hair, leather biker jacket and choir boy vocals gracing the stages of Top Of The Pops and Smash Hits Poll Winners Parties of the early 90’s.

Tonight Hawkes is welcomed on stage like someone coming back to their hometown after defeating the champion, the love for the Windsor warrior hasn’t waned in the 30 odd years since his first introduction to a wider musical audience which included the seminal 80’s classic The One And Only, penned by fellow 80’s super trouper Nick Kershaw, this anthem still gets everyone who hears it up and dancing like their lives depended on it. With a smattering of covers and other slightly lesser known chart smashes, Hawkes lights the touch paper for the headline act.

Kylie and Jason, Neighbors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and now The Rocky Horror Show have all witnessed the unique style, charm, good looks and distinct vocals of Jason Donovan. His advancing years have not diminished the appeal of the Aussie national treasure. Whilst his predecessor tonight could be probably classed as a one hit wonder, Donovan is an altogether different force of nature.

Too Many Broken Hearts, Everyday, Any Dream Will Do, Especially For You, Nothing Can Divide Us and a cover of Angry Andersons Suddenly only bring back memories of the innocence of youth and the prolific nature of Stock Aitken and Waterman hit making machine, Donovan being a natural stage presence engaging all those now middle aged once teen screaming maniacs, his charismatic charm and general pleasing nature are evident and welcome amongst many pop charlatans who excuse an ego for talent, Donovan has no alter ego and does what his tin says, entertain, mean it and help bring back youthful anecdotes to his faithful followers.

Whilst Hawkes is tonights Glen Campell taking on the crowd with his guitar solos and spritely chord structures Donovan can be firmly put in the catagory with Tom Jones, wearing leather trousers, gyrating hips, running and jumping all over the stage defying his 56 years young age, there’s no knowing the end to these 80’s heroes earthly orbits.