Rick Astley wants to dance with Leeds - Reflections tour review

Rick Astley and band took the Reflections tour to Leeds First Direct Arena this weekend, for a setlist of new and old music spanning four decades.

Rick Astley performing at Leeds First Direct Arena - Image by Natasha Judge

Throughout the show there were many anecdotes, and comedic commentary for the audience led by Astley.

He joked: “We play Never Gonna Give You Up at the very end of the show, so you might want to adjust your uber bookings now!”

Performing hits ‘Together Forever’, ‘Cry for Help’, and ‘Hold Me in Your Arms’, with a costume change to a mauve coloured suit; the audience were lively and engaged from start to finish.

The only critique of the evening was Rick stating he supported Manchester United to a crowd of Leeds United supporters, which understandably was met with an array of boos!

As showcased on his Glastonbury set in 2023, Rick got back on the drumkit for a cover of Raye’s song ‘Where is my Husband?’, with vocals from the talented Dawn Joseph and Sofie Anne.

Astley returns to the drumkit! - Image by Natasha Judge

Later in the show, Rick also performed a cover of Roy Orbison's ‘Pretty Woman’ with shades on to suit the rock n roll genre of the track.

The staging and graphics were well designed across two staging tiers, with clips and reference points to his 80s career throughout the show.

The setlist also featured new release ‘Raindrops’, which was released on April, 10, following on from single ‘Waiting on You’, in readiness for a new album drop.

Whilst shouting out his band, and backing vocalists, it was especially nice to hear his words of gratitude towards all members of the crew from the catering to the lighting engineers, before breaking into track ‘Angels on My Side’.

You move me, from side to side - Image by Natasha Judge

For those fans who have read his autobiography ‘Never’, there were several references during the show, including the time he thought his track ‘You Move Me’ was going to feature in the 1988 film ‘Cocktail’, when it ended up being used for just the trailer instead.

As promised, the show closed with the iconic track ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, paired with the side-stepping dance. The audience from the floor to the higher levels were on their feet singing and dancing along to the 1987 hit.

The tour has support from Gabrielle, who was a superb pairing for the shows, with her catalogue of 90s hits which succeeded in getting the crowd grooving. Her voice was packed full of power and emotion, and really got the Yorkshire audience warmed up, especially with the likes of tracks ‘Dreams’, ‘Sunshine’, and ‘Out of Reach’.

The concert was an evening of nostalgia and enjoyment for fans young and old, and it seems Leeds and Rick Astley will be together forever, as he announced to the crowd that he will be back to the city soon!

The Reflections tour continues with dates in Bournemouth, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. Further information can be found here.

Setlist

Lights Out

Together Forever

Dippin My Feet

Waiting On You

She Wants to Dance With Me

WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! (RAYE cover)

Hold Me in Your Arms

Move Right Out

Dance

Cry for Help

The Ones You Love

You Move Me

Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)

Raindrops

Never Gonna Stop

Keep Singing

Whenever You Need Somebody (O’Chi Brown cover)

Take Me to Your Heart / What Is Love

Angels on My Side

Never Gonna Give You Up