Chesney Hawkes – Live – Oran Mor – musicmgmt/ gigcartel

Review By Darren McIntyre Images By Barry Douglas

Chesney Hawkes is a singer / songwriter / occasional actor who started his career aged 19 in the film Buddy’s Song and featured his best known single The One & Only. Chesney was born into a musical family, his father Chip Hawkes of Tremeloes fame, his mother actress / game show host Carol Dilworth. Chesney has given us Buddy’s Song in 1991, The One & Only in 1991, Get The Picture in 1993, Another Fine Mess in 2007, Real Life Love in 2012 & Living Arrows in 2025, Chesney has also given us 2 EP’s, 1 Compilation, 1 Box Set & 12 singles, to celebrate 35 years since The One & Only, Chesney is heading out on tour and tonight he rolls into Oran Mor to bring his incredible show to the fine people of Glasgow, please join me as I take us through this youthful lad’s show. As the house PA fades and the crowd get ready to go Chesney steps out onstage to a rapturous Scottish welcome and kicks off with –

Live Forever – A cool acoustic strumming groove oozes from the stage as Chesney steps forward and lets his timeless vocals flow freely through the venue tonight as the crowd really get into it. The pounding rhythm section is commanding the room with it’s solid snare kick as the bass beats let the boys settle into their stride as the place sways from side to side and lets this youthful pop star do his thing, the sound is crisp, clean and it really weaves it’s way through the venue as we clap along and get into the track as the band comes at us with ease as the opening track settles the nerves from the off, Chesney tells us right I need to put my big boy pants on and say sorry to Scotland as the last time I went on tour I forgot about you guys so please accept my humble apologies which brings a huge cheer as we move into –

I’m A Man Not A Boy – A pulsing bass kick lets this track breath as Chesney lingers at the front of the stage as he strums lightly on his acoustic guitar and lets his soulful, boyish vocals flow freely through the venue. The uptempo, toe tapping track just brings all the memories flooding back as we sing along and feel young again, the crowd like I say are mostly my age and really let this fantastic performer do his thing as we relive yesteryear and then some. The band are shifting through the gears and just allowing the groove to wrap itself around us as we party like teenagers again and just take ourselves back to the 90’s and sing along with this ageless pop star as we roll into –

Nothing Serious – The track ripples through the venue as the boys bring a real softness to the track as Chesney leans in and lets his fantastic vocals lead the charge in this cool arrangement. The band are working well as they bring a cool, mellow groove to us tonight as Chesney looks into the crowd and is smiling from ear to ear as the place feels the love coming from the stage as we relive our youthful years as the place is swaying from side to side, clapping and really letting this cool musician do his thing as we drop into –

Nobody Like You – Chesney steps forward and strums lightly on his acoustic guitar as he unleashes his melodic vocals as the boys join in and bring this toe tapping track to life. The venue is just buzzing as the band digs deep and lets the groove wrap itself around us as this potastic track eases freely though the venue as we clap along and just enjoy the ride, the tracks are short, sharp, melodic and just put a smile on your face as we let this youthful miusician do his thing as he starts to tell us a story of friends Benny & Alice and that something was going on but he didn’t know how to handle the situatuation, this brought a huge cheer from the crowd but Chesney insisted that he didn’t or couldn’t act as it was to close for comfort, anyway he wrot a song about his experience and off we go. A cool snare kick opens the track as Chesney leans in and lets his smouldering vocals lead the song as he brings emotion to the track as the sweet, clean grooves take the track off down the road as the place taps it’s feet to this sweet, melodic track that shows the softer side of this musician as we stroll into –

Feel So Alive – Chesney chats with the crowd and thanks us for being here as he kicks things off with his colossal, soulful vocals that let this ballad come to life as we really feel the energy oozing from the stage. The mellow acoustic strumming chords really let the track breath as the rhythm section kicks in with a deep bass kick as the snare drum taps weave their way through this toe tapping track that we just let ourselves flow along for the ride, the track’s tempo changes pace a little as the cool, dark, delicious bassline drops in and wraps itself around us as we just let the crowd chant along to ‘Freefalling’ that just lets the place unite and come together as the crowd take the track homewards as we stroll into –

13 – A smooth, mellow tone flows freely through the venue as Chesney brings his fantastic, smooth vocals to this real emotion filled number as the snare taps allow the groove to breath. The backing tones add depth to the track as the tempo changes pace as the slick, crisp guitar licks combine well with the sweet, punchy tones that are coming our way, the beat is a real toe tapping affair as this although being a gig is like hanging about with your mate and his pals as they deliver a mellow groove that is just perfect for the night, we are swaying from side to side as we drop into –

Ordinary Girl – Chesney steps forward and asks us for our help as this sweet, melodic track lets the crowd bring their voices as the soulful track weaves it’s way through the venue as we just let this guy do his thing. The track is a real thought provoking number that lets Chesney unleash his smouldering vocals that fit the arrangement perfectly, the place is chanting along and letting him know we are still here and ready to lend a hand wherever we can as the mellow tone fills every corner of the venue as we wander into –

Piano Medley – Chesney sits at the piano and tinkles away as his smouldering vocals drop into the track and let us drift away with him as he really unleashes his fantastic vocals. The piano work is just awesome as it compliments the track perfectly as Chesney tells us that this may be his most requested song as the crowd giggle and let him play on and really draw us in with his fantastic lyric laden track that is a real nice ballad track that really stops the crowd in their tracks as we are fixed on the stage as the mellow tones weave their way through tonight’s awesome show as we flow into –

Loud – Chesney sits at the piano as this sweet track ripples into the night air as he unleashes his mellow vocals that let the band drop in and bring us a cool snare beat that has a meaty bassline that just drives the track forward. The place is just letting the music take over them tonight as the hits old and new keep coming as the band gets behind him as the tone wanders freely through the venue as we sing along and really let the night tell it’s own story as the setlist comes at us thick and fast as we shift through the gears and feel the energy, emotion and soul flowing freely through the venue as we drop into –

Meaning Of This – We continue the theme of Chesney sitting at the piano as he unleashes his smouldering vocals that instantly grab our attention as he drives the set forwrd and hits us with –

Wouldn’t It Be Good(Nik Kershaw) – Chesney straps on his electric guitar as this classic track oozes from the stage as this awesome piece comes at us as he lets his mellow vocals lead the way. A punchy snare / bass kick lets the rhythm section bring the track to life as the meaty, delicious bassline drops in and hits us with a cool tone that really pops, the place is swaying and singing along as the setlist comes atus thick and fast as the boys kick on with smiles on their faces as we wait for the crowd to join in and let this classic cover burst into life as the guitar licks ooze from the stage as this favourite gets everybody singing and dancing as we slip into –

Get A Hold Of Yourself – This sweet, mellow track comes at us as Chesney steps up to the mic and lets his smouldering vocals take the track onwards as the punchy rhythm section bursts into life as we feel the energy coming at us. The boys are really giving us a punchy, sweet, crisp groove as the mellow bassline drops in and hits us with all it has as the gig spirals towards the business end with another classic cover

Silence Is Golden(The Four Seasons) – Sweet, mellow acoustic chords ripple from the stage as Chesney lets the track come to life as we attempt to sing along with him as this classic number comes at us, the band are doing their thing as Chesney leads the charge as the crowd wait their turn to sing along with him as we feel the soulful, melodic track wrap itself around us as we come to the business end of the show with his classic hit that is 35 Years old, wow well here we go –

The One & Only – Chesney tells us that this is a song he put out almost 35 years ago as the familiar riff erupts and the place goes into full party as the rhythm section kicks things off as the track lets the crowd clap along and ready their voices as the cool chorus flows through the venue as we sing along and let Chesney know we are here and here to party. The place is in full swing as this classic track takes us back to Doc Hollywood as the classic intro / outro tune weaves it’s way through Oran Mor and tells us that Chesney will be back and hopefully not to long and possible forget us next time!

Chesney Hawkes –

Chesney Hawkes – Vocals / Electric / Acoustic Guitar / Piano

Setlist –

Live Forever

I’m A Man Not A Boy

Nothing Serious

Nobody Like You

The Ballad Of Benny & Alice

Feel So Alive

Ordinary Girl

Piano Medley

Loud