Review: Phil Collins proves he’s still top of the pops

He may have required a cane to walk on stage, but English superstar Phil Collins wowed a 40,000-strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday night.

It’s been more than 23 years since Phil Collins played two shows at Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and 18 months after he began his Not Dead Yet world tour, but the English singer proved he remains as popular as ever when he performed to more than 40,000 people on his first Australian date at Suncorp Stadium last night.

Due to various health ailments, Collins slowly makes his way on to the stage with the aid of a cane, and as he explains to the crowd, “I’m going to be sitting down for much of the evening … had a back operation a few years ago, foot’s f---ed”.

But despite his apparent physical frailty, as soon as Collins opens his set with power ballad Against All Odds and still-ubiquitous Another Day in Paradise, it’s clear the 67-year-old’s vocals are as commanding and enduring as ever.

Phil Collins wowed the crowd of 40,000 in Brisbane with all his big hits. Picture: AAP/David Clark

Unlike previous tours, the former Genesis drummer is no longer behind the kit during tonight’s show, but his prodigiously talented 17-year-old son Nicholas, who has been keeping the beat throughout the current world tour, confidently fills his father’s shoes.

Collins Jr plays with a seemingly innate ability that belies his youth — particularly during his drum-off with percussionist Richie Garcia, which builds to a crescendo and culminates in the drummer and percussionist being joined by Collins Sr on a percussive block to finish up the impressive display.

Collins’ backing band, which includes long-time collaborators such as guitarists Daryl Stuermer and Ronnie Caryl and bassist Leland Sklar, an extra percussionist, four backing singers and a four-piece horn section, provide enough flair and stage presence to more than compensate for the singer’s lack of mobility.

Despite some health problems, the 67-year-old clearly was enjoying himself in Brisbane. Picture: AAP/David Clark

“About three or 400 years ago, I was in a band called Genesis,” Collins jokes before airing faithful renditions of his former group’s Throwing it All Away and Follow You Follow Me.

Something Happened on the Way to Heaven gets a rousing reception and a tender rendition of You Know What I Mean, featuring Collins’ vocals accompanied by his son on piano, proves particularly poignant.

In The Air Tonight garners the biggest cheers of the night, with the bass reverberating through the stadium and Collins staying on his feet for the song’s duration — and the audience reciprocating with a standing ovation at the song’s conclusion.

Phil Collins got a standing ovation for In The Air Tonight. Picture AAP/David Clark

The 67-year-old required a cane to walk on stage. Picture: AAP/David Clark

You Can’t Hurry Love, Dance Into the Light and a jubilant Invisible Touch, Easy Lover and Sussudio finish up the set, before Collins and his band return for a one-song encore of Take Me Home.

He’s often viewed as a figure of derision and sure, he can’t dance — and nor can he walk the stage with the authority he once could — but the fact Collins cannot only hold a stadium-sized crowd in the palm of his hand for two hours while confined to an office chair but leave them wanting more is testament to his talent, charisma and longevity.

Collins is scheduled to play three shows in Sydney from tomorrow, before playing Adelaide and Perth, with the Australian tour set to wrap up with two shows in Melbourne on February 1 and 2.