Anastacia @ Symphony Hall Birmingham, 28th April 2025
Chicago-born singer Anastacia is back out touring her breakthrough album Not That Kind in
celebration of the 25 th anniversary of its release. She stormed onto the pop scene in 2000 and has
since become widely known for her fierce vocals and trademark tinted glasses.
Tonight Anastacia was backed by a seven-piece band including backing singers, guitar, bass, keys and
two percussionists. Her outfits were carefully put together with four costume changes, and included
a red leather fringe jacket and black and gold knee boots. The choreography was spot on, as you’d
expect from a performer with so much experience, and she took the time to engage with the crowd
between songs – even giving a shout out to a local laundrette owner who’d service-washed her tour
outfits earlier in the day.
The show opened with ‘One Day In Your Life’ from Anastacia’s second album Freak, and she also
sang ‘Paid My Dues’ and ‘Secrets’ from that album, amongst others. ‘Secrets’, she said, is the first
song she ever wrote, and she performed it as part of an acoustic section of the show alongside
‘Welcome To My Truth’ and ‘How Come The World Won’t Stop’.
At least one song from every Anastacia album made it into the set this evening, but of course all the
big songs from Not That Kind were included.
During costume changes the backing band held the stage – firing up the crowd and singing a few
covers. ‘All Right Now’ by Free was sung fabulously by the lead guitarist.
There were a few slightly bizarre or unexplained parts of the show. Firstly, the decision to enter the
stage to the theme tune from TV show The Simpsons. Whilst a great theme and show, there was no
explanation of what it has to do with Anastacia. Maybe she’s just filmed a guest appearance? Who
knows! The other, for me, bizarre choice was to include her cover of Guns N’ Roses belter ‘Sweet
Child O’Mine’. Although it was part of her It’s A Man’s World cover album released in 2012, there’s
really nothing different you can do with such a classic song, and the guitarist hadn’t learnt the well-
known solo. I’m all for artists putting in a re-worked cover or two, but this one seemed an odd
choice – more filler than killer.
The main part of the show ended with hit single ‘Left Outside Alone’ but annoyingly Anastacia’s radio
mic battery chose this song to start going flat, and it meant we only heard intermittent lead vocals.
Thankfully all was sorted for the encore tracks – ‘Not That Kind’ and ‘I’m Outta Love’ so we got to
hear Anastacia’s powerhouse vocals a couple more times before the show closed out.
Anastacia and her band put on a well-crafted and entertaining performance to a very nearly sold-out
crowd, and I’m sure she’ll be selling out these venues for more years to come. There are still a
couple of dates left on the tour next week if you don’t want to miss out.
Anastacia Set List
- One Day In Your Life
- Now Or Never
- Staring At The Sun
- Paid My Dues
- Nobody Loves Me Better
- Sick And Tired
- Overdue Goodbye
- Made For Lovin’ You
- I Can Feel You
- Vogue/This Is How We Do/No Diggity/Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) medley – performed by
backing band - Heavy On My Heart
- You’ll Never Be Alone
- Best Days
- Secrets
- Welcome To My Truth
- How Come The World Won’t Stop
- All Right Now (Free cover) – performed by backing band
- Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses cover)
- Boxer
- Stupid Little Things
- Left Outside Alone
……………………… - Not That Kind
- I’m Outta Love
Review: Chrissie Duxson
Check out our other reviews , album reviews, news