Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers at the Royal Albert Hall

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Jonathan Wilson
Royal Albert Hall, 18 June 2012

Although I've been a fan of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers since I was a kid (one of my few musical loves that actually outdates my Fleetwood Mac obsession), in all my years of being a fan I only got to see them live twice in 1999 (two absolutely stunning back-to-back shows at the Shepherd's Bush Empire) and they haven't been back since.
When I saw them last it had actually been eight or nine years since they had played in the UK. Given that Britain was the first country to embrace Petty and his Heartbreakers, back when New Wave was the hip new thing (funny to think they were ever considered New Wave actually), it's strange that they never became a household name here the way they did over in the States. I'm pretty sure that was a big part of the band's reluctance to come here in the past twenty years or so. Why play the Shepherd's Bush Empire when they could be playing a huge arena show to adoring audiences in the US? So it was a surprise to see their first shows in the UK for 13 years was not only as one of the headliners of the Isle Of Wight festival but also two gigs at the Royal Albert Hall which impressively sold out straight away. Somehow in the intervening years between those last UK shows and now, people in the UK have finally cottoned on to the fact that Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers are one of rock's greatest bands and they really showed it tonight.

First though came a supporting turn from Jonathan Wilson, who I last saw jamming away with Jackson Browne and Dawes at the far more intimate Borderline last year. It seemed strange to see him wander onto the impressively big stage at the Royal Albert Hall, this time leaving behind his Neil Young denim ensemble, for a striking white suit straight out of the 70s. It looks good too, not just because it means he easily visible to even those in the cheap seats but because it fits right in with his updated Laurel Canyon sound. This time though he seems to have taken some lessons from Petty's school of songwriting, pairing pop hooks with rocking guitars, although his atmospheric groove-based jams that he is so good at do return by the end of the set. And I have to say, he was really good. The new songs sounded great, perfect for the Petty audience in fact (and they seemed to respond well to the material) and the way he eased us all into the more instrumental based songs was beautifully done. There was a couple of people around me who seemed bored (but then these were the same people who only appeared to know Petty's biggest hits) but on the whole Wilson, and his fantastic band (unfortunately not Dawes this time but still superb), were warmly received and a great opener, I thought. 

By the time Petty and gang hit the stage the excitement and anticipation had grown so much that Petty actually seemed taken aback by the reaction. I really don't think he realised just how many fans he has here or just how much the band are loved. He also seemed awed by his surroundings, "What a place!" he said looking around, before telling us that to play here was a lifelong dream (I don't blame him, it really is one of the most beautiful venues and has a pretty awesome history). Looking very cool wearing a rather smart black pin-striped suit complete with waistcoast, flowery shirt and with the beard back (I do like the beard I must admit), he launched into the joyous melodic power pop of Listen To Heart (what a fantastic start!) and then entertained us for two hours playing just about every Petty hit you'd ever want to hear and more: You Wreck Me, I Won't Back Down, Here Comes My Girl, Don't Come Around Here No More... every one had me singing and grooving along, each one sounding so fresh yet complete classics. 

There were lovely surprises too: a wonderful version of the Traveling Willburys' Handle With Care, with all-rounder Scott Thurston taking over Roy Orbison's part and doing a surprisingly beautiful job. Petty dedicated the song to the other Willburys "wherever they are traveling tonight". A rather nice and poignant moment especially since the last time Petty was here it was honouring George Harrison at the tribute concert after his death. Also, it seemed appropriate too, as Petty is no longer the new kid among the legends, as he was during his time in the Willburys, he's without doubt achieved the same level of fame and artistry and is as much as icon as his fellow bandmates, fallen or otherwise. Another nice tribute "to one of our heroes" came in a great version of Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac classic Oh Well, with Petty guitarless but entertainingly shaking his maracas around the stage and living up to the line "and my legs are thin". Afterwards Petty then explained they were going to play a "deeper cut" one they had never got around to playing much despite coming from their 1981 album Hard Promises, the song Something Big. It felt strange it being called a deeper cut (which is pretty much calling it an obscurity) because I know the song as well as any of his hits having played that album to death as a kid. I sung along as merrily as I had to any of the more well known tracks. 

It wasn't all a greatest hits show though, Petty and The Heartbreakers are far from being a nostalgia act just yet, still releasing great and vital new music, so there were also three tracks from their most recent album, the bluesy Mojo. Of these Good Enough probably sounded the best, showcasing just what a first-rate and underrated guitarist Mike Campbell is (resplendent in dreads and black velvet suit) while Something Good Coming turned into a hard rocking blues jam and I Should Have Known It gave a gentle acoustic reprieve.

The most magical moments though were maybe two obvious songs but the reaction to them was just, well, amazing. Upon the first strums of maybe Petty's most iconic song, Free Fallin, immediately the whole audience, like a huge choir, began singing along to every word. It just sounded incredible, especially echoing around the Royal Albert Hall, where the acoustics are so impressive. A similar thing happened for Learning To Fly, one of their bigger hits on these shores, where the audience once again took over from Tom at the end, a massive chorus of "I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings" while Petty sang over the top, as if he had hundreds of backing singers spurring him along. It was a really wonderful sound. 

But I really don't think there was a boring or less than special moment: I loved singing along to Yer So Bad and Refugee, while It's Good To Be King's end instrumental (which I have always adored on record) turned into an especially epic and atmospheric extended jam which highlighted the skills of every member of the band (Benmont Tench especially, with his distinctive sound on piano, organ and keyboards, sounded marvelous, he's always been my favourite member of The Heartbreakers). The cool riffing of Running Down A Dream ended the main set but after rapturous applause and a standing ovation, the band returned and treated us with maybe my favourite Petty song ever, Mary Jane's Last Dance, and by this point every member of the audience was on their feet, dancing along as they ended with a triumphant American Girl. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the love and enthusiasm for Tom Petty and his Heartbreakers and the fact that everyone was not only hugely excited but knew all the words to so many of their songs. It was crazy and wonderful to experience it, as when I first discovered the band they rarely played their songs on the radio and Petty was someone who known to be famous in the US but pretty insignificant here. Thankfully the UK has finally caught up with what makes Petty so special and were keen to let him know. Hopefully, thanks to the reaction the band has had at these two shows (I assume it was just as good for the second concert) and their appearance this weekend at the Isle Of Wight festival (which I know will be fantastic too) will encourage Petty and the band not to wait so long next time to return to these shores, and if not, this was a hell of a way to go out.