Tom Petty, Marquee, Cork

Recent tours by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers show that, like many veteran rockers, they are becoming more popular with age.

Along the way Petty has had a huge number of hits, constant radio play and has produced some rock classics.

Part of super group the Travelling Wilburys, Petty’s Alice in Wonderland video for Don’t Come Around Here No More remains one of the classics of the 1980s.

Musically and thematically with a Petty album, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. The albums are always strong, though sometimes less than memorable, but this matters little when the band brings its live show to town, as the music is so catchy.

Looking dapper in purple, Petty has the confidence of a man who knows what he’s doing. He may mix in new material but it is the classics that bring the crowd to life. “This isn’t the nicest love song I ever wrote,” he says dryly as the first chords of Free Falling ring round a packed Marquee. “I’m a bad boy, I don’t even miss her, I am a bad boy for breaking her heart,” he sings in this anthem of youth, freedom and breaking hearts. The crowd loves it. I Won’t Back Down, Runnin Down a Dream and Learning to Fly spark similar reactions. Mix in some Wilburys songs and guitar solos and although it may not be the most innovative show, everyone goes home happy.

— Carl Dixon