Christopher Cross, Justin Hayward deliver warm set of classic songs at Hanover Theatre

It might be hard to find a better-matched bill of musicians, nor to place them in a better-suited venue.

The concert by Moody Blues alum Justin Hayward, followed by adult contemporary phenom Christopher Cross, was much like the Hanover Theatre itself — elegant, yet ever-welcoming and warm.

With an illuminated backdrop depicting a castle on a distant shore, Hayward played and sang the signature songs of mystery mixed with deeply personal emotion that won the Moody Blues an enduring audience.

Hayward’s gentle and unassuming introductions marked the perfect transitions between songs.

The tension of “The Voice,” the striving for one’s true self of “Tuesday Afternoon,” and the love, once encountered and never fading of “Your Wildest Dreams” actually found a new kind of power with Hayward and a perfectly-selected ensemble.

With guitarist Mike Dawes, who opened the set with nimble instrumentals and engaging banter; flutist Karmen Gould, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Julie Ragins, Hayward performed as much as a team member as much as he did the show's focus.

As a musician, songwriter and singer whose career spans nearly 60 years, it should be said, Hayward’s voice carries the same blend of tenderness and assuring authority that have fueled so many classic songs. Even the sometimes-parodied standard, “Nights in White Satin,” took the listener on a path of longing that resonated in every note, and surely, every heart.

When Christopher Cross took the stage, with the banner in the background bearing his longtime symbol of a tranquil pink flamingo, he instantly set the mood and sense that has carried his career since his debut in 1979.

Marking his 40^th anniversary, a few years delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic in which Cross suffered a bout with the disease, Cross remains strong in voice and spirit, with a top-tier band.

The serenity of “Sailing” still takes a person away from their troubles to a calming place, a bit otherworldly and yet within reach. “Ride Like the Wind” still carries the listener on a fervent, dangerous race to the border.

Cross also drew strength from a band comprising drummer Keith Carlock, bassist Travis Carlton, saxophonist Andy Suzuki, and superb vocalists Jewelee Peters, Tabitha Fair and Kim Mont.

The show was also marked with emotive tributes, including to Joni Mitchell, one of Cross’ great inspirations, and to icons who have recently passed, including Burt Bacharach, who contributed to the 1981 “Arthur” album, as did Cross, who played his Oscar-winning “Arthur’s Theme.”

The label of “easy listening” belies what has made Cross so dominant in the genre. Every song was played with a purity that evoked the times in which they made their mark. Cross hit his stride amid the Iran hostage crisis, political and economic turbulence, and nuclear escalation. The song "All Right," — with the opening lyrics, "All right, think we’re gonna make it” — broadcasted a much-needed dose of optimism across the AM radio waves.

The rendering of Cross’ songs from this time struck a deep chord of memory. The wistful “Arthur’s Theme” conjured the image of the film’s star, Dudley Moore, now far beyond the Moon and New York City.

And the most deeply resonant moment came just as several audience members got up to leave, thus missing the encore: “Think of Laura.”

And if you, too, devotedly watched “General Hospital” and gasped when Genie Francis reappeared as the vanished heroine, Laura Spencer, then Cross’ plaintive calling from the stage into the darkness would surely follow you on the starlit journey home.

This article originally appeared on Worcester Magazine: At Hanover, Cross and Hayward show why their songs are still loved