The Magnets – Naked ‘80s: Sublime Harmonies And Jaw-Dropping Moves… See Them Like You’ve Never Seen Them Before! ~ Adelaide Fringe 2019 Review

[MUSIC ~ AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE ~ GBR] Gluttony – Wonderland Spiegeltent, Tue 19 Feb. They’re younger, they’re sexier and they’re a whole lot wiser by choosing to bring a live ‘80s disco party to the Adelaide Fringe – and for the first time they are a quintet. From the moment they step on stage, these five men, each with unique and amazing voices, create a sound that you would normally only hear from the symbiosis of a full band. It’s so easy to fool yourself into thinking that they have hidden backing tracks in the mix, but this is just them – three tenors, bass and beatbox/vocal percussion. That’s it! From the sublime harmonies of Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again, the jaw-dropping vocals and moves from Stevie Hutchinson in Michael Jackson’s Dirty Diana, or the skilled yet humorous version of Run DMC’s Walk This Way, very few knew how to keep still in their seats. Oh, the joy when we were given the invitation to get up and dance – an offer that very few refuse. It’s not until nearly halfway through the performance do they incorporate another first into the mix – a loop pedal. Thanks to the tech skills of talented beatboxer/musical director Nicholas Girard [from the US and the only foreign import of the group] a loop helps to expand upon what is already a big sound as Michael Conway drops a few notes that becomes the backbone rhythm of Chaka Kahn’s Ain’t Nobody. Fantastic! In fact, there is nothing I don’t like about Naked ‘80s; the way original Magnet Callum McIntosh effortlessly moves from singing bass lines for most of the show before he steps into lead with Blondie’s Call Me or every damn note that comes from Ross Hunter’s throat in Heart’s Alone. Every one of them is a star, each with a stunningly impressive resumé to prove it. The ‘80s Medley is just brilliant and the finale tops off every other reason we are glad to be here! You may have seen The Magnets before, but never like this. This is like Magic Mike – only with their clothes on… but we can live in hope! 5 stars Catherine Blanch The Magnets – Naked ‘80s continues at Gluttony – Wonderland Spiegeltent, at various times, until Sun 17 Mar. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ADLfringe #GluttonyFringe Image courtesy of Catherine Blanch