Hall & Oates bring their unique brand of Philly rock and soul to the UK for the first time in more than five years. Can the biggest-selling duo in music history still pull a crowd in the UK? The answer is a resounding “yes” as Daryl Hall and John Oates packed them in at London’s legendary Wembley Arena. One would never guess that the blonde haired, blue-eyed frontman is going to turn 73 this year. He’s either found the fountain of youth or the gods of pop music are smiling down on him.
Hall is a brilliant example of how to stay relevant as his critically acclaimed Live from Daryl’s house has taken on a life of its own. Continuing the legacy of mixing genres and pushing the H2O songbook, the live jam sessions not only provide a platform for 40 years of hits but also bring in new blood along the way to further celebrate these classics for a new generation. He’s essentially future-proofed the business while staying incredibly relevant.
Oates has to be drinking from the same fountain as this guy is going on 72 and could easily pass for half that age. He continues to weave a welcomed solo song into the set which acts as a nice buffer for the non-stop hits-a-palooza that clocks in just under two hours. On another note, it looks like the most famous mustache in all of pop music seems to be making a long overdue comeback.
This is the fifth time I’ve seen them in the past seven years, so I guess I’m a bit spoiled after living in California where the band plays annually. The setlist for the night featured all the hits you know and love: “Sarah Smile,” “Rich Girl,” “Out of Touch,” and an amazing, extended jam of “I Can’t Go For That.” Returning to the stage in response to standing ovations, the band saved the best for last, finishing off with “You Make My Dreams Come True,” “Kiss on My List,” and “Private Eyes.” Hall and Oates delivered a flawless performance and proved that they are indeed a one of a kind, timeless group.
