2020 has been a disastrous year for many industries due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Badly hit are both the restaurant industry and the entertainment business, so with much anticipation and excitement I ventured out to the Boisdale of Belgravia with camera in hand for the first time since March to dine out and listen to the legendary R&B singer Alexander O’Neal
Boisdale of Belgravia for the unenlightened is one of four Boisdale restaurants situated around London offering some incredible dining experiences, sumptuous food, fine wines, cigars and whiskies. The steaks are some of the best I have eaten. All this great food and service whilst listening to live music the making for an epic night.
On arrival, I am invited to hand sanitise, have my temperature taken before joining the diners who are all socially distanced, being serve by attentive staff wearing PPE, all very reassuring.
Alexander O’Neal takes to the “Yamaha Music London” stage with his band and starts the night with his 1988 hit ‘What Can I Say to Make You Love Me ?’ which is followed by ‘All True Man’ & ‘Always and Forever’ all well received by the diners. The personal highlight of the night followed next when O’Neal performed an emotionally charged version of the Louis Armstrong classic ‘What a Wonderful World’. Alexander tells the audience, he wished he had recorded this, I totally agree and with the world struggling to cope with the pandemic … it could be a great tonic.
The rest of the set is taken up with catchy, toe-tapping chart hits Sunshine, If You Were Here Tonight, Hearsay. Criticize and finishes with Fake. The diners itching to get up and dance, but with social distacing restrictions in play having to make do with social distancing “seat-swaying” and hand clapping .
Alexander O’Neal and Band, are used to filling stadiums, festivals and halls worldwide really enjoyed the change of pace performing to around 30 diners. Tonight being their first gig since the Covid lockdown. They are in residency at the restaurant for 9 dates (10-12, 17-19 & 24-26 Sep) with a few tickets still available.
A fine night out, touched with a depressing realisation as to what we have all missed this summer. The world needs live entertainment, laughter and smiles. It was so uplifting to see couples enjoying the limited freedom of an entertaining night out. With Covid cases on the rise again, lets hope our limited freedom remains. If everyone follows the safety rules I personally hope live music can continue, dining out will be acceptable and people can continue to smile .
Other great nights of live music are scheduled for Boisdale of Belgravia , check their website for details.