Chesney Hawkes 'Smash It To Pieces' Tour Leeds Review 12/3/2026
- sarah fisher
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
By Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit
The One and Only Chesney Hawkes is smashing it on his current ‘Smash It To Pieces’ tour!
Chesney brought his band and golden ticket to the Brudenell Social Club on Thursday night, for a fun filled walk down memory lane with his Rock Pop Classics from the 90’s and his new album ‘Living Arrows’.
The room was filled with long sanding fans who have loved Chesney’s music since his massive number one hit single ‘The One And Only’ from his 1991 debut album ‘Buddy’s Song’. There was such a buzz of excitement in the room whilst waiting for the show to start. People were excitedly discussing their earlier meet and greet with Chesney and how much they loved him back in the day.
Laura Aston was support for the tour. Her band, a guitarist and violinist were perfect for a sing-a-long to get the crowed warmed up! Laura sang a mix of country originals and covers.
When Chesney came on stage, the crowd were cheering with excitement. The band broke into ‘Live Forever’ a catchy uplifting song from the new album 'Living Arrows'. It was a high energy show opener. The crowd singing and dancing along. I wasn’t familiar with his new music but it was so catchy and fun it instantly became a pleasing ear worm.
Just as catchy as the first, Chesney went straight into the classic from the 90’s ‘A Man Not A Boy’. A song that could make the most wooden being dance!
Then came the most 80’s early 90’s sounding song ‘Nothing Serious’. A song that would fit perfect in any 80’s film. There is something so special and nostalgic about that 80’s sound.
There is a vibe to Chesney’s music that is linear throughout the years. This is apparent in the next song he played ‘Nobody Like You’. The music is uplifting and fast paced. It makes you want to dance just like his early 90’s stuff but with a modern sound. I get the same happy endorphins listening to his new music, as I did listening to ‘The One And Only’ back in the 90’s.
Chesney explained how ‘A Ballard Of Benny And Alice’ was a complicated tale about love. The song is written like a folk song. It weaves a story of two lovers in a catchy pop sound, with a hook that gets stuck in your head.
Followed by a ballard from the 90’s ‘Feel So Alive’.
Chesney told the audience how the song ’13’ was about looking back with adult eyes on past events that shouldn’t have happened to a young person. How he should have been protected in those moments. I feel this is something a lot of us go through as we grow up. I know myself having a teenager, I have personally looked back on my own life with those eyes several times and thought the same. ’13’ was a slow thought provoking song.
Chesney brought the vibes back up with ‘Ordinary Girl’ and a piano medley of songs from the 90’s.
Throughout the tour, Chesney has had a member of his team pick one person each night to recieve a ‘Golden Ticket’ to be his ‘one and only’. Tonight, Nicola was the lucky recipient! Nicola was brought on stage and Chesney placed a sash over her shoulders and serenaded her with a few lines from the hit song ‘The One And Only’. It brought a fun, personal element to the already amazing show.
Chesney dedicated the song ‘LOUD!’ to anyone who had lost somebody close to them. Chesney’s friend recently passed and personally loved the song before being released. It’s a beautiful ballad that has touched the heart of many fans. People have writtten to Chesney to express how much the song has helped them through their own healing journeys of loss. The whole crowd shone their torch lights in a beautiful tribute to loved ones who have passed on.
Chesney and his brother Jodie, the bands drummer, stood arm in arm and sung one of their Fathers songs ‘Silence Is Golden’ in a beautiful tribute to their Father, who is growing old and his fellow band mates who have sadly passed on. The brothers wanted to share their Fathers music, as they feel it is a sound that is getting forgotten with each passing year. The song is a serene old classic from the band ‘The Tremeloes’.
When Chesney played ‘The One And Only’ the whole room was as expected, singing and dancing like it was 1991! Everyone in that room had grown up with Chesney and his hit song. It was a firm favourite when we were all young. I myself was seven when it was released and it was my favourite song long after it's five weeks at number one. It’s such a positive, self-talk song that makes us all feel like we are amazing and capable of anything! Listening to it again made me realise just why we all loved it so much and why it was such a big hit! I don’t think in all these years there has ever been anything quite like it! The stadium rock solos in the song are so iconic and such a powerful sound of that era.
Chesney ended the set with a cover by The Killers ‘Human’.
The whole night was a success! It was like a party full of people who didn’t know each other, yet all grew up together. Chesney himself was fun and carefree. I feel we all felt carefree that night. The feeling of lets all just have fun that comes with age and wisdom.
I had the most fun evening photographing the show. I went in only knowing the 90’s hits and came home loving all his music. The new Album ‘Living Arrows’ is a must listen to album if you want a catchy record to sing along to and have a good old dance.
Words and photos by Sarah Fisher ~ Sarah in the pit
