Kim Wilde On Her Closer Tour – Kids In America Star Has Still Got It

★★★★☆ (4/5)

**KIM WILDE PERFORMING AT YORK’S BARBICAN CENTRE**
**PHOTOCREDIT: JOHN HAYHURST**

Walking into the York Barbican last night, the excitement was electric and nothing to do with a new carpet recently installed. Kim Wilde’s ‘Closer’ tour had brought together fans of many ages, and as the lights dimmed, the anticipation turned into an eruption of cheers.

From the moment Kim Wilde stepped on stage, she owned it. Dressed in a sleek black leather outfit with her signature blonde hair tousled just right, she looked every bit the rock-pop icon we’ve loved for decades.

She opened with 3 tracks from the ‘Close’ album, “Hey Mister Heartache”, “You Came” and “Never Trust A Stranger”. The live arrangements are so much punchier than the studio version, with the backing vocals adding a richness that wrapped around the soaring choruses. Wilde’s voice, still strong and powerful, carried every note with confidence.

Tonight was about newer material from the more recent ‘Closer’ album and no less than 7 new songs were played, mixed in with the hits.

Her band was exceptional throughout the night. Ricky Wilde’s guitar work was sharp and electrifying, and the tight rhythm section added a modern punch to every song. Scarlett Wilde’s (Kim’s Neice) harmonies blended beautifully with Kim’s, and she was a bundle of energy whilst also being able to give some of the softer moments an emotional weight – particularly during new song “Hourglass Human” where she duetted with Kim.

One of the real standouts of the night was “Cambodia”. The hypnotic synths and pulsing beat created an atmospheric intensity that sent chills down the spine. Live, the song took on a haunting, cinematic quality, with red and blue lights flashing in time with the driving rhythm. The audience swayed, completely absorbed in its eerie, mesmerizing energy.

Later, she performed “Chequered Love”, and it was impossible to stand still. The sharp guitar riffs and pulsating rhythm section gave it an extra kick, turning the venue into a bouncing sea of fans. There was a rawness to the live version, with Wilde’s delivery carrying a slight edge of grit, making the song feel urgent and alive.

Of course, The Supremes cover “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” was a massive moment. The opening chords alone were enough to get the crowd on their feet, and as soon as she hit that first opening line, the entire room sang along. The live version leaned heavily into its rock edge, with guitars crunching beneath Wilde’s soaring vocals. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why she’s still filling venues after all these years.

By the time she closed with “Kids in America”, the energy was at its peak. The band gave it everything, making the song feel as fresh and exhilarating as it did the first time I heard it. The final chorus had the whole venue shouting, arms in the air, caught in a collective moment of joy.

This was a perfect mix of nostalgia and reinvention. Kim Wilde didn’t just revisit her hits—she brought them to life, making them sound bigger, bolder, and even more thrilling in a live setting.