“A night of epic guitar solos and legendary rock hits from the comfort of a theatre seat”
The Festival Theatre spent this past Sunday evening playing host to a tribute that boasts of being one of the UK’s best. The Ultimate Classic Rock Show promises a night of “stunning accuracy, high energy” and an “incredible light and projection show” while delivering approximately 2 hours of classic rock anthems. This show struck a more personal note, and brought up a lot of questions, so I hope you don’t mind humoring some thoughts from a 27 year old rock lover.
This tribute is a well-oiled machine from head to toe. It delivers what it promises, solid on all fronts and is professional to a tee. On stage we are entertained by the antics and prowess from a band of musicians who wear the heavy crown of dealing out some of the most well known music in recent history and representing the iconic personas that come swaggering along with it. Pablo Roberts Morales, Garath Kedward and Rhys Roberts took up bass, keyboard/synths and drums respectively, while Luke Bradshaw and Andy Park traded off riffs and licks from an impressive display of guitars. Rory Bridgeman and Sammi Broad were our talented and charismatic fronting vocalists.
As this is a tribute to a genre rather than a solo band/ artist, the audience were greeted with anthem after anthem from Queen to Fleetwood Mac to AC/DC to Deep Purple to Hendrix etc… the kind of names that would reach you even if you lived under a rock (those of us who are passionate about the genre are already well situated under said ‘rock’). The band as a whole were technically incredible, note perfect and true to the original recordings rendition. For its production value, the bang for your buck is worth it with the quality of both lighting and sound at an impressively high level and the overall mix, especially for the drums and guitar, being some of the best I’ve experienced recently. We are also kept visually stimulated by an additional projection above the stage showing the names, symbols, pictures or moving caricatures for each individual band as the music shifts. The bandmates were natural comedians, engaging with the audience and with each other making what could be completely scripted jokes and beats seem genuine and spontaneous. Sammi Broad in particular has great charisma, stage presence and comedic timing as well as the ability to be an absolute menace with a cowbell. It was light and fun, wrapped up in some great rock songs.
Make no mistake this was a great show, however I was struck, during and after the fact, with the question: why does it not feel…right?
I now proceed briefly from a more personal and inquisitive stance. I think the venue had the biggest impact on how this act was perceived. Theaters, especially our lovely Festival Theater, are safe, controlled and accommodating, and have very comfortable seats right up to the stage. This is a great thing, however I think it is safe to say, none of these descriptions have ever existed close to the idea of rock and roll. Being seated, having volumes at the ‘perfect’ levels, the performers well manicured and in mostly simple black clothing, well, it’s rock music but it’s clean and it’s comfortable, disconnected from its rebellious, rowdy, glamorous yet disheveled soul. It’s a choice and there is always compromise. I would be very interested to see it roughened up a bit and in a different space, I think it would really encourage the audience energy…but I am aware of my youthful knees.
This show was a great way to watch epic guitar solos, sing along to legendary lyrics and get a glimpse into how iconic bands may have performed the music that continues to shape our playlists today. I recommend it to people who would rather the comfort of a theater performance than that of the volatile experience of a rock and roll concert, but be aware, it may leave you a little wanting.