It’s not every day that the humble Jane Crookall maternity home in Douglas, Isle of Man, gets a mention at a major rock concert. But then Robin Gibb’s triumphant headline show at the Peel Bay Festival was no ordinary rock concert: as the Manx-born Bee Gee brother spoke of his love for the Isle of
Man, leaving no doubt that the land of his birth is still the place where he belongs, a rapturous audience gave him the warmest welcome home imaginable. It was an emotional moment and a fitting climax to the Peel Bay Festival’s halfway point.

If McFly and Ronan Keating cranked up a hormonal frenzy, this night was a joyful open-top ride down memory lane for the crowds who had gathered to see Bonnie Tyler, Chris Norman and Robin Gibb perform their much-loved classics.

First, though, the audience was treated to the spectacular orchestral piece ‘Like the Wind’, commissioned by the Isle of Man Arts Council to commemorate the TT Centenary. Led by composer Barry Russell and flanked by local rock bands Stone Creation and Chiaroscura, a varied group of brass musicians and percussionists took listeners on a journey wh ich perfectly expressed the tension, bite and thrill of riding the TT course at top speed.

Russell, a community musician based in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, described how the piece - written in two weeks and rehearsed over four months – is fundamentally improvisational, which means it changes fluidly with each
occasion of playing. The group are hoping to stage another performance at the Villa Marina during the Manx Grand Prix and it would certainly be well worth hearing this ambitious, often breathtaking piece again.

It was fittingly followed by the woman who wrote the book of breathtaking performance – Bonnie Tyler. The gutsy Swansea-born singing legend delighted her loyal crowd and launched the night’s celebratory atmosphere with a bang.

Remarkably self-effacing – she felt that her voice had sounded “ropey” in rehearsals – Bonnie said she would’ve liked to sing ‘To Love Somebody’ but didn’t like to “out of courtesy” to Robin Gibb. She also warmly introduced the
next star on the bill, Chris Norman: “I’ve worked with him a few times and he’s fantastic. I’m glad I’m on before him – he blows me off stage – ha ha!”

But it was Bonnie who blew away the audience with her disarming, charismatic stage presence and dynamite performances of her classic hits. ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ saw every pair of arms in the marquee swaying in unison and for the closing number, ‘Holding out for a Hero’, hundreds were on their feet, cheering.

Bonnie, who described the Isle of Man as “really an eye opener – it’s just gorgeous”, was equally delighted: “We were chuffed to bits with it tonight. The audience reaction was just fantastic. I didn’t know what to expect; I’ve never
been here before. To be honest, because I was on first tonight, I didn’t think there’d be so many people but I was pleasantly surprised. It was great and they were really vocal, you know, the audience - they were up for it, they were
fantastic!”

She made a tough act to follow but ex -Smokie front-man Chris Norman was equal to the job! Chris who told us how his old band had played the Palace Lido in 1979, played a set of two halves which swung from his more reflective solo material (and the immortal ‘Living Next Door to Alice’) to a brace of
covers which his band delivered with precision.

Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’, in particular, was ridiculously tight and raunchy! After the show, Island resident Chris said: "When I first ca me up to the site a couple of weeks ago it looked like it wasn't going to happen as there was so much to do. It’s quite amazing that they've managed to get it all together. The shows have been great. It’s the first time I’ve played here since 1979 and it makes a nice change to be playing back here at home."

‘Home is where the heart is’ seemed to be the theme of the night and the biggest homecoming of all was about to take place. There was no mistaking people’s excitement as Robin Gibb to the stage and it simply grew and grew as he and his excellent band treated the crowd to one solid gold Bee Gee’s hit after another. The Gibb brothers were born with an uncanny instinct for melody and groove in their veins and the night was a reminder of just why they are still considered to be amongst the best songwriters in the world.

Pausing between songs, Robin explained how “my parents adopted the Isle of Man as their home… that’s how I was born here and I’m proud to be Manx”.

The audience went wild - after that, there was no limit to their applause. As he and the band made their farewells to a rousing rendition of ‘Ellan Vannin’, the crowd had a collective lump in their throat: for the patriotic people in the audience, it was an almost unbearably sweet, moving finish to the night.

Outside the venue, one group from Peel summed up the evening for everyone: “I never thought a concert could make me cry; it was fantastic”, said Sue. For her sister Sarah, the highlight was “seeing Robin so happy to be home was just
fantastic. He is a genuine Manxman and I love that in him. To hear someone sing ‘How Deep is Your Love’ who was born in the same hospital as me was just… wow!”

Robin himself was also clearly moved and delighted to be back: “I thought it was fantastic. I thought they were a great crowd and it’s lovely to be back home again. It’s always emotional when I come back to the Isle of Man and of course I’m living here now.”

The ultimate proof of Robin’s loyalty to his roots was his generous decision not only to give his allowance of guest tickets to the Island’s emergency services but also to donate the profits of his show to Nobles Hospital’s children’s ward.
Before leaving for his new home outside Peel, he explained why he’d taken this step: “First of all I’m Manx and I’ve always loved kids and so children’s charities and children’s hospitals are something very close to my heart. They’re the future and any time I can, I will give.” He certainly gave his all at Peel Bay and was given a hero’s welcome in return.