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It's Not Unusual to Evolve: Tom Jones
Tom Jones came up in 1960s Wales and London, blending R&B grit and lounge swagger into a pop-soul style that hit hard on both sides of the Atlantic.
A Welsh torch song with new fire
In recent years, he has leaned into a deeper, weathered register and spare, rootsy arrangements, a late-career pivot that reframes his image without losing bite. He treats the catalog like living material, letting silence, space, and slow-burn grooves do the heavy lifting.What you might hear and who shows up
Expect a set that nods to the hits while favoring fresh pacing, with likely sing-alongs on It's Not Unusual, Sex Bomb, Kiss, and Green, Green Grass of Home. The crowd skews multigenerational, mixing long-time devotees in tailored jackets with newer fans who discovered him on TV talent shows and vinyl hunters chasing classic session sounds. Watch the rhythm section sit behind the beat while the horns punch short, tart accents, a pocket that keeps the room moving without rushing. Trivia: It's Not Unusual was first offered to Sandie Shaw, who urged him to release his own demo, turning a test take into a breakout single. Another note: his hit Kiss grew from an Art of Noise studio experiment that flipped Prince lean funk into a brassy stomp. Just to be clear, the set choices and production touches described here are informed guesses and can change from show to show.Suits, Soul, and a Chorus You Know
This crowd dresses like a night out, with neat blazers, crisp blouses, and the occasional sequined jacket nodding to lounge-era glamour.
Little rituals, big sing-alongs
Fans swap stories about first hearing their parents spin It's Not Unusual, then join in on the trumpet riff with playful whistles between verses. During Sex Bomb, the floor becomes a bounce of fist-high claps while friends trade chorus lines back and forth. You will spot vintage 7-inch single tees, Welsh flags draped over shoulders, and programs tucked carefully into tote bags.Respect for the songbook
Merch leans on classic cover art and simple typography, a quiet sign that the music, not the logo, is the draw. Between numbers, Tom Jones tends to speak plainly about writers and origins, and the room stays hushed for those notes. When the band hits a pocket and lets it ride, couples sway, friends grin, and the vibe feels like a classy neighborhood bar made big.Big Voice, Small Details
Live, Tom Jones treats his voice like a brass instrument, pushing air in short bursts for grit, then easing back to a soft, story-first croon.
Groove first, then fireworks
The band often starts tunes with lean guitar and organ, inviting the drums a verse later so the pulse blooms rather than slams. Horns tend to punch in counter-lines instead of long melodies, which leaves his phrasing clear and conversational. Tempos are a notch slower than the old 45s, letting him stretch words and land consonants like drum hits.Quiet tweaks that shape the sound
Expect some songs transposed down a step and the guitars tuned slightly lower, a small shift that thickens tone and gives his lower register room. He often reshapes a chorus by dropping the band to near-silence, then bringing them back with a dry snare crack and a brighter horn voicing. On ballads, piano and pedal steel or baritone guitar sketch wide chords so the voice carries the drama without strain. Lights are simple and warm, favoring tight spots and soft color washes that match the rootsy palette.Kindred Voices and Stages for Tom Jones Fans
If you enjoy the mix of classic pop grit and suave delivery, Rod Stewart brings a raspy, soulful show that leans rock but loves Motown swing.