In the midst of a rainy Belfast summer, Sir Tom Jones delivers a flawless performance at Belsonic Festival to a sea of people dressed in rain ponchos. But the drizzly wet weather, couldn’t dampen the spirits of 20,000 fans who danced the evening away to some of Tom Jones’ greatest hits.
Tom Jones @ Belsonic Festival 2023
Belsonic Festival is held annually in Ormeau Park, Belfast and has witnessed some of the most prominent names in the music industry. On this night, it was the Welsh singer Tom Jones headlining, supported by Northern Ireland’s very own Ryan McMullan.
Sir Tom begins his show with a humble entrance, warmly welcoming the crowd before taking a seat. Instantly, fans erupt on his first note. His voice is so polished, soulful and powerful. And although it may be a well-worn sentiment to mention his vocals in a review, its undeniably true that Tom Jones’ vocals are nothing short of remarkable. You will be swept away by the sheer power of his voice and the passion he pours into every song.
But behind his dynamic voice are tunes that will get you dancing. One moment he’ll be seated belting out powerful lyrics and then next, he’ll surprise you with his hit It’s not Unusual and will have a boogie with the crowd.
At the age of 83, the Welsh legends career has spanned six decades, during which he has sold over 100 million records. With such an established career, his show takes you through a musical journey of his life. With each song, he warmly addresses the audience sharing charming anecdotes and giving them a glimpse into his creative process. It’s a unique show structure to introduce most songs, but given his great career, it adds a personal touch, allowing us to witness the “behind the scenes” moments of his life and musical experiences.
It is his 1999 hit Sexbomb that raises the energy of the crowd. As one of his most famous songs, people of all ages seem to know the iconic lyrics and the entire audience cheerfully sings along. It’s clear that his music transcends generational boundaries.
Two years ago, Tom Jones became the oldest person in Great Britain to have a Number One Album, smashing the record previously held by Bob Dylan. Despite all this incredible success, Jones has a very down to earth demeanour when he performs. He exudes genuine warmth and humility effortlessly captivating the audience with his remarkable talent and charisma. It’s refreshing to witness a seasoned artist who remains grounded and focused on delivering an exceptional show. He simply wants everyone to let loose, boogie and have a good time. And true to his spirit, he’ll be dancing along with you.
Live review and photography of Tom Jones @ Belsonic Festival by Jacqueline Edmont on 16th June 2023.
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