A medley of 80s music at a seaside venue on a Saturday night – the perfect spring evening out or something a little bit cringe? Brand new live music show Totally 80s hit the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, on Saturday; it was a triumphant display of fun and musical talent with plenty of hits to sing along to…
With audience members decked out in neon leg warmers and CHOOSE LIFE t-shirts, there was a buzz in the air as everyone took their seats and the band made their way to the stage. With classic tunes from A-ha, Wham, Blondie, Tiffany and many more, young vocalists Ffion Davies and James O’Roarty showed talent and energy from start to finish – with an incredible range of jackets which were switched out to match the songs, as a subtle but brilliant addition to the show.
The singers and their band, made up of Danny Miller on bass and synth, Mark Newbury on keys, Will Brown on drums and Jack O’Hanlon on guitar, were not products of the 1980s. They did, however, put a fresh and energetic twist on each and every song they performed. This energy flowed through Ffion and James, too, who bounced around the stage with ease and sang with effortless skill. With James hitting the higher notes and Ffion’s stunning range of lower vocals, it was a harmony that succeeded completely.
From the very first note until the inevitable encore, the audience were up dancing, singing along and getting involved; perhaps better suited to a standing-only venue, the show is definitely one that encourages audience participation in the best possible way. Highlights included a Duran Duran medley as well as a fantastic rendition of Nena’s often-overlooked 99 Red Balloons.
And that was what really shone through: the choice of songs was brilliant, with some really unexpected additions to the set list that just worked so well. It was clear how much thought had gone into putting together a range of tracks that flowed seamlessly throughout the evening.
Live cover music doesn’t always work, but when you get it right it can be absolutely fantastic. And this was! If you’re planning a night out with colleagues, friends or family and you’re partial to some 80s music, you can’t go wrong with Totally 80s and Ffion’s frequent leg kicks.
Reviewer: Katy Gilroy
Reviewed: 27th April 2024
North West End UK Rating: