The challenge that anyone writing a review of a Delta Goodrem concert faces is to not side track into writing about long forgotten Neighbours plots from 2003. I’m sure I was far from alone in the crowd at Manchester’s Band on the Wall whose introduction to her came through her portrayal as Nina Tucker, with her antics with Connor O’Neill, Michelle Scully, Lou Carpenter et al marking a golden era for the soap as well as possibly one of the best casting decisions made in the history of Australian soap operas.
Neighbours icons having post show musical careers wasn’t exactly unusual, but whilst most made the UK their new homes Delta’s pathway took a slightly different course. Despite debut album Innocent Eyes going triple platinum in Britain her activities for the last two decades had been almost exclusively focussed on becoming Australia’s biggest music star, such that 2023’s visit to medium-small venues was somehow her first ever proper UK tour. Three years later, fresh from finishing fourth at the 2026 Eurovision song campaign, a visit to Manchester’s intimate Band on the Wall ahead of the release of eighth album Pure was just her third ever non-London headlining performance in England.
If seeing a star who normally graces stadiums in such cosy surroundings wasn’t enough, performing backed only by a string quartet and her multi-instrumentalist husband gave the night a sense of occasion as reworked classics mingled with a handful of warmly received new songs. Throwing in her biggest hit Born to Try as early as second in the setlist felt like a brave move, but as the song exploded and launched as big a crowd singalong as five hundred punters could manage the atmosphere was instantly supercharged, matched a few songs later by Innocent Eyes.
Whilst not the most extravagant of performers, Delta gave the impression throughout that she was delighted to be back on a small stage and having the freedom to improvise that coreographed bigger shows don’t allow for. In between chatter about her writing process and the meaning of songs there was plenty of time for hilarity, complaining about choosing to wear a jumpsuit in the middle of a heatwave, borrowing electric fans from crowd members and inviting one lucky attendee from the audience to join her onstage for a quick tango ahead of her upcoming appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.
With high octane stompers such as Wings, Predictable and Eclipse balancing out the more sombre balladeering of Not me Not I and Out of the Blue it was a night perfectly curated to showcase Delta’s vocal talents. For those in attendance it was a unique opportunity to see a major star at close quarters putting on a show full of zest and enjoyment – and as the ultimate seal of approval I have to believe that if Harold Bishop were there he surely would have approved.
Have you managed to catch Delta on her brief European tour? What was your favourite Neighbours plotline from 2003? Please leave a comment below and don’t forget to subscribe for more live music reviews straight to your inbox.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a Youtube Highlight of the evening, but here’s every member of the audience joining in to sing Innocent Eyes, courtesy of Richard Orr.
Delta Goodrem performed:
Believe Again
Born to Try
Wings
Feline
Innocent Eyes
In This Life
Back to Your Heart / The Best
Warrior
Hearts on the Run
Not Me, Not I
Out of the Blue / Hey Jude
Predictable
Hologram
Sitting on Top of the World
Lost Without You
Eclipse
Alex Reviews Gigs 
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