Seal: World Tour 2023

“We’re onto Cincinnati,” Seal said to a somewhat bewildered crowd, it took a moment to realize before he explained that he was repeating New England Patriots coach Bill Bellichick as a joke. That was part of the charm that Seal brought to the Boch Center Wang Theatre. He’s currently in the middle of this World Tour which is celebrating 30 years of his first two albums Seal I and II. 

The start of the show, the concert began with a video montage mix of Seal’s various television appearances throughout his career. It ended with the white curtain where there was an iconic image behind that was Seal, curtain drops and the show started with one of his biggest hits “Crazy.” He walked back and forth across the stage with his fantastic voice and stage presence that filled the theatre.

Other highlights of the set were “Future Love Paradise,” “Bring it On,” and “Prayer for the Dying,” during which Seal performed most, if not all of it, amongst the crowd. He was completely engaging and a pleasure to listen to, even the songs that were less familiar to me. The main set was closed out by the famous song “Kiss from a Rose,” where Seal explained he almost didn’t want to even release the song, however Trevor Horn, his producer, convinced him to do so. Considering it was a chart topper and a perfect fit for Batman Forever, he’s glad he listened to Horn. 

Trevor Horn the brainchild and half of The Buggles opened the night, most music fans are familiar with the famous 1979 hit “Video Killed the Radio Star” Horn was one of the songwriters of that song. His band accompanied him and they wore shirts that read Best Buggle Ever, and played various songs from the Buggles catalog as well as a song from prog rock band Yes “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” that Horn also wrote. In addition to leading and playing with The Buggles, in addition to his own set, Horn is musical director for the tour as a whole and also played bass with Seal. As well as including the (best) Buggles that played along with Seal including the great guitar sounds from Mat Dauzat for sets of The Buggles and Seal. 

Seeing Seal live is an extra treat as he doesn’t tour very often. I’m hoping he will decide to tour again before too long.