Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
ICONIC 80s BAND T’PAU RETURN TO WORTHING
The Factory Live 20/12/2025: T’Pau and Belle
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band formed in 1986, taking their name from a Vulcan elder of the same name in the sci-fi series Star Trek. T’PAU burst onto the music scene in 1987 with the hit Heart & Soul reaching No. 4 in both the UK and US charts. This led to a meteoric rise in T’pau’s fortunes at home and in the USA, where the track stayed on the US Billboard Chart for six months. After a European Arena Tour supporting Bryan Adams and another UK Tour of their own, T’pau’s next single China In Your Hand stayed at No1 for five weeks – the longest serving No1 of the year!
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Carol was, as expected, surrounded by a five-piece band made up of superb musicians. Two guitars – James Ashby and T’Pau original Ronnie Rogers, bass, drums and keys. They fully recreated with authenticity those well known and loved tunes from Carol and T’Pau. The minute she got on stage opening the set with Sex Talk/Island the hairs on the back of the neck would stand up. Extraordinary reaction. The lead guitarist James Ashby crated some fine solos breaks, with the occasional guitar pose, working with Ronnie it was a stunning sound.
The Band: Guitars!
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Band: Drums, Bass and Keyboards!
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
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- Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
T’Pau’s debut album, Bridge of Spies reached number 1 and went multi-platinum in the UK. The album produced a total of five hit singles including, and we were treated to a few of those tonight, Valentine, Sex Talk and I Will Be With You.
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
By the time Carol reached us with I Will Be With You, she had fully charged up her audience tonight, I think she had quickly won everyone over, There was plenty of Heart and Soul in the set tonight, running for 70 minutes, and her audience revelled in the exciting but also warm and comforting performance.
After warming us all up with a memory jerking string of favourite archive tracks, the band played some of the more recent output. We were treated to a rockin’ blast of Run, and a new slower track called Walk on Air, and a rousing crowd pleaser, Be Wonderful.
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Carol didn’t stop for the entire set. Song after song filled the venue as her voice soared with the tunes we love. She would occasionally stop for a moment to share a memory and a smile. A beautifully constructed evening of live performance.
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Some of the other tracks included the wonderful Secret Garden, with some fine guitar playing from Ronnie, Bridge Of Spies, Heart and Soul and Monkey House. Carol Decker held her crowd close with such seemingly effortless vocal power and polish through every note of every song. A true showcase of her vocal and song writing talent, an unbeatable masterclass.
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
China In Your Hand
And so, sadly as the night was coming to a close we headed back into Bridge Of Spies. China In Your Hand was the show closer tonight. The song, the longest run at number in the UK in 1987, some 5 weeks. It also reached number one in Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. In 2015, the song was voted by the British public as the nation’s 11th favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV, and in 2017 was chosen by The Daily Telegraph as one of the 21 best power ballads. Needless to say, we loved it and joined in.
Carol Decker and T’Pau – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
We were treated to a wonderful extended version tonight at The Factory Live, with some fine audience participation. Magnificent stuff, the China is safe in Carol Decker’s hands. To the final strains of China In Your Hand, Santa hats in place that was the end of the performance as Carol led the band off the stage. The sizeable crowd showed their appreciation with rapturous applause and cheers.
The band are now a regular fixture on the Festival and Arena circuit. But, this was a rare chance to see this amazing artist up close in the intimate space of The Factory Live.
Carol Decker and T’Pau are on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/TpauCarolDecker?locale=en_GB
T’Pau official website is here: https://tpau.co.uk/
Guest: Belle Mills
Belle – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Starting out in Worcestershire, Belle found her voice early—shaped by the timeless sounds of soul, swing, and Motown. After performing abroad in Gran Canaria, life took her on a different path, spending over 20 years managing pubs and connecting with people from all walks of life.
Now returning to her musical roots, she brings that lived experience to the stage with a style influenced by Carole King, Dusty Springfield, and Ella Fitzgerald. Whether singing in a cosy pub or lighting up a Pride stage, her performances are rich with warmth, vintage flair, and heartfelt storytelling. Tonight Belle was opening for T’Pau.
Belle – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Opening for T’Pau was quite a feat, but Belle pulled it together beautifully. She bounced onto the stage with a huge smile that captivated the room.Her performance pulled in some true nostalgia and some 80’s bangers! With a backing track running Belle poured it out with tracks such as Son Of A Preacher Man, Be My Baby, Glory Of Love, Black Velvet, Thorn In My Side and a crowd pleasing opportunity to join in with The Locomotion.
Belle – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Her voice and personality filled the venue and Belle delivered a thoroughly entertaining 30 minute set of crowd pleasers. Well Played Belle!
Belle can be found on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SongsByVintageBelle
And Finally…
Thanks to Carol Decker and T’Pau, Belle and The Factory Live.
CONGRATULATIONS to The Factory Live: Prestige Awards , an organisation launched to celebrate businesses and individuals that consistently offer excellent products and services to local residents, has crowned The Factory in Worthing as South England ‘Live Music Venue of the Year’ for 2025-26, a second consecutive win for the intimate venue on the South Coast, who were also awarded the title in 2024-25. Well deserved guys!
Words and photos by Ian Bourn.
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