Tom Jones
OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, Ontario
April 17, 2025
Tom Jones kicked off his “Defy Explanation” tour at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino April 17th. It marked a return to familiar ground—he last played this venue in May 2023—but this show carried a special weight. Just two months shy of his 85th birthday, Jones took the stage with remarkable presence and vocal strength, proving age is no barrier to the sold-out crowd of 5000.
He opened the evening with “I’m Growing Old,” a fitting choice given the milestone approaching, sung with both honesty and grace. The reflective tone continued with a pair of cover songs—Leonard Cohen’s “Tower of Song” and Bob Dylan’s “Not Dark Yet.” These introspective pieces set a calm and thoughtful mood before Jones shifted gears into fan favorites.
The crowd lit up as he launched into “It’s Not Unusual” and “What’s New Pussycat?”, songs that continue to spark joy decades after their release. The energy stayed high with “Sexbomb” and his playful take on Randy Newman’s “You Can Leave Your Hat On.”
Throughout the night, Jones wove in a number of striking cover performances, each chosen carefully. He performed Cat Stevens’ “Pop Star”, followed by Dylan’s “One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below).” His version of “Across the Borderline,” originally by Ry Cooder, carried quiet power. With Michel Legrand’s “The Windmills of Your Mind” and Bernice Johnson Reagon’s “I Won’t Crumble with You If You Fall,” Jones revealed the emotional depth that has come to define his later work.
Later in the set, he tackled Todd Snider’s “Talking Reality Television Blues” and The Waterboys’ “This Is the Sea” before returning to the theatrical storytelling of “Delilah.” He closed the main set with “Lazarus Man,” “If I Only Knew,” and a funky, crowd-pleasing rendition of Prince’s “Kiss.”
For the encore, Jones delivered “One Hell of a Life” (originally by Katell Keineg), then turned to the nostalgic “Green, Green Grass of Home,” and wrapped with a fiery gospel closer—“Strange Things Happening Every Day” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Even as he nears 85, Tom Jones continues to blend charm, power, and reflection in a way that few performers can match. His return to Niagara Falls was more than just a concert—it was a masterclass in longevity, taste, and timeless charisma.
All photos by Joel Naphin
©2025. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
