*
A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
*
The 80s Live show is a production by Entertainers which is currently touring the UK it promises to be an interactive retro party experience and cover all the 80s hits. Obviously that’s a very big ask as there are so many fabulous songs from the 80s but they certainly covered a good number of them, and covered the range of ska and rock as well as your typical pop. The performers do not pretend to be any of the artists although they occasionally dress up resembling singers. They give tribute to the music of the eighties rather than being a tribute band for the 80s.
*
*
The audience is encouraged to sing, dance, take photos and videos, but generally instructed to have a good time. At the end the performers made it clear they would be available for photos if anybody wanted and there were quite a few of us that took the chance of a that lovely memento of our wonderfully fun evening.
*
*
It was slightly confused event in that we were all seated, and as soon as the band started they encouraged us to get up and dance, but the security staff were not allowing anybody to leave their actual seat area. I know I tripped over the chair leg a couple of times trying to stay in my spot but dance along to the songs! A couple in front of us did not move the whole of the first half, not even a head bop or a jiggle in their seats and they were not there in the second half. Opposite to them were three ladies who kept coming down the front from further back and being sent back by the security guards.
*
*
However in the second half they seemed to get away with it, and I must admit we were right next to them at the very end when Sid the compere invited us all to come down and join them at the front for a good dance. We were introduced to the band we had Will on keyboard, Sam on drums and Martin playing guitar. The musicians all seemed to be performing live and obviously were there the entire night, whereas the singers came and went depending on whether it was boys or girls, a duet, a group or whatever.
*
*
Sid was the compere, behind a DJ desk. He introduced everything and asked us repeatedly if we remembered various bands they were featuring. This made us feel a little bit old, the thought that we may have forgotten, although I am not sure that you would go to an 80s night if you did not remember all the wonderful bands that came out of the 80s! Sid also sang Soft Cell, Madness, B52s and some of the other male parts. Brian from Glasgow was the other lead male, singing Dead or Alive, Bon Jovi and Wham. The rest of the cast were four females who performed together brilliantly, but also each had a solo role: Vikki sang Toni Basil’s Hey Mickey, Karen sang Kim Wilde’s Kids in America, Mel sang Annie Lennox and Lindsay sang the iconic Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, in a fabulous Cyndi Lauper style outfit.
*
*
The interval was most needed for refreshments after all the dancing and singing we had indulged in during the first half. It was also nice to go and people watch! Some of the outfits that the audience were wearing were fabulous, some people had gone for the full neon accessories, one girl had amazing flashing trainers, others just had an 80s style t-shirt or other kind of indicators that they knew what kind of night they were at. One gentleman was in a very shiny shell suit with medallions, there are a few that really caught your eye and you knew that they had gone to the effort of getting in the mood for the night. There were also people just dressed up for a night out, and they similarly looked quite at home in the excited buzz!
*
*
The second half included a song dedicated to Joy’s hen night group. Sid explained that Joy was missing her own hen do as she had covid, he asked the group to come down to the front and get her on facetime so they could include her in the night. Of course we all got on board with this and were waving to her when the phone was turned our direction. What a horrid thing to miss your own hen do but I think the band did a wonderful job of trying to make it up to her, although obviously not their fault! Sid also encouraged the group to come and get a photo with the band at the end of the night, which they obviously did for Joy!
*
I possibly enjoyed the Madonna medley more than seeing the iconic woman herself many years ago at Murrayfield, which is etched in my mind as the worst concert I have attended, and I have been to a few!! This group made everything fun with massive smiles (except when singing Human League of course!) and abundant energy. It was a glorious celebration of the brilliant songs we have grown up with, and that we all know the words for – even all these years later. Now, how do I sign up to tour around with an 80s wardrobe and the chance to sing and dance to such fab tunes every night?!
Further information: https://entertainers.uk/80s-live/
*
*
Subscribing to the 5D Pop Culture Website
If you would like to subscribe (for free) to the 5D Pop Culture Website and keep up to date with our content then just go to the bottom of the home page, submit your email & click subscribe!
5D Reviews
If you are a content creator and interested in having your work reviewed here on the 5D Pop Culture Website then contact us at 5DPopCulture@gmail.com
Ko-fee
If you would like to donate to help this website, you can support us here: https://ko-fi.com/5dpopculturewebsite
*
Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
*
