Phil Collins - Liverpool Echo Arena
Not Dead Yet! (but perhaps not as alive as he used to be....)
It is very difficult to explain how something can be so beautifully uplifting, and yet so deeply sad at the same time.
And yet, that's what this concert was. Phil hobbled onto the stage at the start of the gig, and it was almost like watching a shadow of his former self; an old, frail man barely recognisable as the almost-hyperactive drummer, singer and songwriter that he was known to be in the past.
As the concert progressed, however, he gradually became more and more like the Phil Collins that the general public know, and also generally (although not necessarily publicly) love. He might not be able to stand up while he's doing it, but he sure can sing, belting out a large number of his many hits (like 'You Can't Hurry Love', 'Against All Odds' and 'Sussudio') as well as throwing in a few lesser-known tracks (such as the criminally underrated 'Wake Up Call') and some Genesis classics (like 'Invisible Touch', 'Follow You Follow Me' ).
And at the times Phil Collins himself did seem to be fading a little, his stunning, ever-professional backing band (including his very talented son Nicholas Collins on drums, and long-time touring member of Genesis Daryl Stuermer on guitar) picked him back up and set him back on the right track (so to speak!).
Overall, it was a spectacular show, and despite Phil's frail appearance he did genuinely seem to be having a good time, which is always nice for an audience to see.
So against all odds (if you'll pardon the pun!)- no. Phil Collins most certainly is NOT dead yet!
