Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Brighton Dome, Wednesday, March 1
IT IS unusual to begin a show by announcing its hashtag, but for a musical collective who began online and reached 500 million YouTube views, savvy marketing matters.
Postmodern Jukebox’s live show was a cabaret, with playful performers recreating contemporary hits in jazz, swing and doo-wop styles. Aubrey Logan transformed the Chili Peppers’ Give It Away into a quirky 1960s musical number, telling trombone jokes and turning a startling series of one-handed cartwheels on the spot for emphasis.
Former American Idol finalist Casey Abrams gave a cheeky hot jazz version of Stacy’s Mom after clambering into the crowd brandishing a tambourine as if leading a gospel revival.
The follow spot couldn’t always keep up with the energetic tap dancing, or MC Ariana Savalas prowling the audience to turn Ginuwine’s Pony into a saucy striptease.
However, the singers could truly belt it out: Von Smith transformed Call Me Maybe into a cute Charleston, while Rayvon Owen brought out the anguish in Don’t Let Me Down. NSYNC’ s Bye Bye Bye became an elegant farewell, with the three female singers in 1940s harmony performing a languid sequence reminiscent of the Supremes.
The whole show was terrific fun, with the audience clapping along throughout.
5 stars
Rosie Clarke
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