Eternally Entertaining

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Publication title: Hastings Leader, The

I think many of the thousands (including my 26-year-old-self) at Harvest Moon festival in Napier on Saturday night who witnessed the passion, soul and energy Jones brought to the stage would disagree with that sentiment

And while not as mobile as he may have once been, the Welsh superstar’s sublime vocal showcase proved he was nowhere near giving up the ghost. He was, in short, an absolute class act.

Jones had the honour of being McLean Park’s first international act, but before he looked over the Green Green Grass (there was no plastic flooring in sight), Kiwi acts the Magnificent 7 and Gin Wigmore got the festivities under way.

Our delayed arrival was due to some confusion as to where to line up and a distinct lack of signage outside the venue, perhaps something to note for future McLean Park events.

Another surprise was the absence of a merchandise tent. I’m usually the first one to grab some memorabilia, and it seemed like such a missed opportunity (Tom Jones-branded underwear, perhaps?).

Luckily, the lines moved fairly quickly, and after a brief welcome by none other than infomercial icon Suzanne Paul, The Magnificent 7 had the crowd belting out Be Mine Tonight and Why Does Love Do This To Me? like their lives depended on it.

From where I was standing on the side, the sound at McLean Park was impeccable. It is possibly the crispest outdoor venue I’ve been to.

By Wigmore’s arrival on stage, McLean Park was nowhere near full, with some pretty empty spaces in the stands, but this didn’t stop her from filling every crevasse of the stadium with her gravelly charm.

Sixteen years have passed since Sir Tom sold out the infamous Mission Estate winery concert in 2008.

I’m not sure what the crowd looked like back then, but Saturday saw a sea of Welsh flags, pussycat ears and, of course, some afros.

As the lights dimmed and the crackle of a vintage radio broadcast began, we knew we were in for a night of history and hits; this was the Ages and Stages tour, after all.

I’m Growing Old, Jones sang seated on a stool under a spotlight. It was a poignant choice to kick things off this way, showcasing how his profoundly powerful voice hadn’t changed since the 60s while reflecting his thoughts on his many years in show business.

Remembering and making memories seemed like the night’s theme, and who better to guide us than a master storyteller like Jones?

The man knows how to capture an audience. No one can...