It may have been a chilly night, but former Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley soon warmed to his task as he opened this year’s Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival on Thursday May 23 in emphatic style.

For those who haven’t been following the adventures of the former New Romantic heartthrob, Hadley went solo some years back, switching to swing and big band numbers. And on this showing, the move has worked well, with Hadley’s expressive voice and wide vocal range sitting comfortably on top of his powerful 10-piece band.

Fortunately, Hadley has not left his past behind him. As well as an assured saunter into swing territory – such as the opener “The Mood I’m In”, “Fly Me to the Moon” and “It’s the Good Life” – Hadley also took us down memory lane, with several Spandau hits along the way.

First up was “Only When You Leave”, which drew a big response from the large crowd – around 1,000 of us, sitting huddled under anoraks and any other wet weather gear that we could muster. Fortunately, the dark threatening clouds didn’t unleash their worst, but it remained stubbornly cold, as Hadley himself frequently remarked, often in rather colourful language.

As the evening unfolded, Hadley also paid respect to the great singers that have inspired him, such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Nina Simone. He particularly highlighted Jack Jones, performing a couple of his numbers – “I Will Wait for You” and “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” in tribute.

After delighting the crowd with Spandau’s “True” and “Through the Barricades”, he swung back with punchy versions of “Too Close for Comfort”, “The Lady is a Tramp” and “Mac the Knife”. The only duff moment was his inexplicable take on The Doors’ “Touch Me”, but considering the audience’s warm response, perhaps I was the only one who didn’t care for the number.

Giving us nearly a two-hour long show, Hadley encored with the inevitable Spandau hit “Gold”, and an emotional “If I Can Dream”. Powerful stuff.

Now entering its third year, this year’s Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival features an expanded range of concerts in the Blackmore Gardens and other venues, plus associated activities, including a free music education programme. The festival finishes on Monday May 27.