Eighties pop legend Howard Jones would still like to get to know us well, he tells Jade Wright
“There are tracks on there that I’ve never played live before. Even at the time they were purely studio songs. But now the technology is available for me to be able to perform them live. It’s exciting, and a bit scary too. But I’ve always enjoyed a challenge.
“I always remember the early days playing the Royal Court. What a venue that was. The audiences there were some of the best in the country, maybe the world.
“In Liverpool, people aren’t afraid to call out to you. There’s a great sense of communication going both ways.
“I like Birkenhead a lot too. We did a recorded show there a while ago, and that night really stuck in my head as something special.
“I loved going out to the Mersey and looking out across to the Liverpool waterfront. It’s a spectacular view, and it reminded me just how much the city has changed over the years. I’ve been very lucky to be able to visit quite a lot while I’ve been touring, so in that time I’ve seen a lot of changes.”
Howard says he’s a big fan of touring.
“I’ve toured every year since that first album,” he says. “It’s something that’s very important to me, to get my music out there in front of the fans.
“Over the years I’ve tried lots of different ways of presenting it – there have been the stripped back acoustic tours, the huge 12-piece bands with the whole works. I like the fact that a lot of my songs work equally well both ways.
“This time around I have a three piece band. The show is quite spectacular. We’ve commissioned new videos, so it’s got a lot going on visually.
“I’m looking forward to playing the Academy. It’ll be a first for me. I’ve played most of the bigger venues in the city, and that’s one I wanted to add to the list.
“It’s really good as a performer to play in a standing venue. You get a different atmosphere if everyone is up and dancing, rather than shuffling in their seats. Big standing venues are my kind of gig. That’s how pop music should be enjoyed.”
