Phil Collins Not Dead Yet review: British superstar performs seated but still brings a crowd to its feet

While Phil Collins may be forced to perform seated — his repertoire of hits still brought a rapturous 30,000-strong Adelaide crowd to their feet.

It was a family affair when superstar Phil Collins rocked an adoring 30,000 fans during his Not Dead Yet world tour at the Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

While the frail English singer and drummer was forced to perform seated — his repertoire of hits brought the rapturous crowd to their feet.

Despite his stardom, he was at pains to share the crowd’s adulation with his bandmates — including son Nicholas, 17, who almost stole the show with jaw-dropping drumming.

Collins, five days shy of his 68th birthday, hobbled on stage 25 minutes late supported by a cane – the effects of back surgery from drumming that has caused a “dropped foot”.

West Londoner Collins, a father of five who quit music in 2011, was candid about his health, and age, after almost five decades of touring.

As he sat in his black leather seat, he told the cheering crowd enjoying a balmy Friday night: “Good evening Adelaide. Long time. I would like to thank you for coming because we realise you had a choice.

“You chose us – for that we thankyou. I am going to be sitting down for much of tonight – had back surgery, foot’s f***ed. What can I tell you, it sucks getting old.

“But that won’t stop us having a good time, ok?”

Phil Collins at Adelaide Oval as part of his, 'Not Dead Yet' tour. Picture: Matt Loxton

And under another beautiful Adelaide sunset, he began his 20-song set with favourite Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) before rocking Another Day in Paradise.

It took a few songs to find a clear, powerful voice but when he did, he didn’t disappoint as he found his rhythm from his chair.

Having come out of retirement for this tour - its title was a joke about health -following a glittering career that sold 150 million records as one of the world’s great solo artists, the rocker clearly enjoyed the spotlight again.

His impressive backing band, including brass players, hammered their instruments for pulsating melodies as they strutted the stage during Hang in Long Enough.

The glorious mix of trumpets, trombones and saxophones, filled the arena with joyous sounds.

By the fifth song, Collins had the crowd in his hands when he paid tribute to Genesis, his former 130million album-selling band with Throwing it All Away – under a video montage from their ‘70s and ‘80s heyday.

“About three or four hundred years ago I was in a band called Genesis and we all get along still really well, all these years later,” said the cheeky muso, dressed in simple navy trousers and zip-up cardigan with a grey t-shirt.

While he thought it “fitting” to sing it, he warned the crowd he would disappoint many with his choice but “we rehearsed it”.

The full range of the Phil Collins experience at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Matt Loxton

After playing another band hit Follow You Follow Me, he returned to his own with Can’t Turn Back the Years before bring the crowd to is feet with Who Said I Would.

He then introduced each band member by name – including best mates, and fellow roadies, some of whom had played with him for more than 40 years.

But it was his praise for his son that melted the crowds’ collective hearts.

“It gives me great pride and great pleasure to introduce my 17 year-old son,” he told the cheering stadium.

“Of course having Nicholas in the band does bring the average age of the group down quite a lot.”

Phil Collins' son, Nic Collins playing the drums at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Matt Loxton

Collins has said his son got the job “because he is good enough”, not because “his dad is being the boss”.

And so it was proved.

A proud father became part of the crowd to watch Nicholas - who got a drum set for Christmas as a two year-old - give a rousing duet with another percussionist before the trio played bongos on stage.

The funniest and most poignant moment came during Something on the Way to Heaven.

Collins told the crowd Nicholas taught himself on the piano but his father “couldn’t remember what it was” so he “retaught myself” the lyrics.

Collins joked Nicholas, from his third marriage, liked only that song from a stellar career: “not bad for a life’s work”.

As the concert entered its second hour, hit after hit came crashing through the speakers – In the Air Tonight (the only song he stood for), You Can’t Hurry Love, Genesis’ Invisible Touch and Easy Lover.

His finale was one of his best, Sussudio, under a bright technicolour light show – the crowd now standing as one.

The encore was the 1985 Take Me Home – producers missed a trick by not showing its brilliant music video that visits almost every major world landmark.

But as he sung with the crowd, everyone hoped it wasn’t hometime.

As he hobbled off, you couldn’t help but think that while we may never see Collins again, we are safe in the knowledge his legacy is in good hands.