Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley reveals the way he calms his nerves before every show

Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley says he still feels nerves before going on stage, even after five decades in music. Speaking to BANG Showbiz, the 66-year-old recalled that as a teenager he would feel “almost be nearly sick” before shows, though now he mainly battles “butterflies in the tummy.” He said that once he starts singing, he relaxes quickly. Hadley described a pre-show ritual: finding the nearest pub, having a couple of pints, then doing a “99” vodka shot, followed by sharing an anecdote and last-minute handshakes before taking the stage—aimed at easing nerves rather than intoxication. He added that the band travels together on a sleeper bus, stays social offstage, and rarely complains about the performance afterward. The band’s 19-date Christmas Big Band Tour runs through November and December.