Absolute Bowie
50 Years Of...
Warrington Parr Hall
21st April 2018
Normally I wouldn't be reviewing this sort of show, I'm not a massive fan of tribute bands,but I've heard great things about this 'Bowie' act that I just had to see for myself, I'm also lucky to be on front row.
Tonight I'm slightly exhausted so need to keep my energy up ,it was 'Record Store Day' and I've been up since 4AM Zzzzzz.
I arrive to get my seat and await the band to come on and kick things off. I'm reserved in judgement til it begins, as it starts the bass player comes on dressed a one of the 'Spiders From Mars', the drummer the keyboard player and 'David Bowie' well 'John O' Neill' the singer who portrays him anyway hes a dead ringer for him.
He arrives as 'Ziggy Stardust' in full make up and attire circa 'Aladdin Sane', he begins with 'Jean Genie' followed by 'Ziggy Stardust' and a version of 'Cracked Actor', there are such similarities in vocals and onstage personality, so far so good, the crowd who are mainly seated in the stalls are just getting into singing the lyrics and being brave... there's no balcony in use tonight.
Yes there are quite a few favourites so far 'Sufferagette City' and 'Changes' with 'O' Neill' using face masks for the performance, there was a lovely version of 'Starman'with acoustic guitar, it's actually very captivating and moving how accurate the singer is with literally every little detail, twitch, and pose tonight and it's all here.
The second costume change of the night brings '1983 Bowie' to the stage, Grey suit and light blonde wig Circa 'Lets dance' album, as the singer announces he's going to play a love song for us it is one of my favs 'Absolute Beginners' (Still not seen this movie).
They have on stage with them a female saxophonist who does a superb job in fact every musician on stage tonight is giving 100 percent that this act not only looks like the real thing it sounds like it too, I wasn't able to see 'Bowie' in my lifetime but this is as near as you'll get now, 'Heroes' being the highlight of this set.
Onto the '1990's now and 'Hearts Filthy Lesson' begins the set as we go quickly from 'Earthling' album to 'New Killer Star' and the title track 'Reality', and back to 'Hallo Spaceboy' again the perfect portral of outfits worn from that period in a celebration of those epic 50 years.
The Encore was perhaps the most riveting as it was performed from the perspective of how would 'Bowie' have done this, so taking from 'Black Star' video with the blindfolded button eyes was very visual idea how he'd of wanted it to look.
Rather than go out on a sombre note , the last song was 'Space Oddity' tonight with some fans getting up and standing at the stage dancing and singing with 'John' still in character as the later version of 'Bowie' no wigs or make up.
If you are a fan of 'Bowie' you have to see this band play live they are still touring around the UK all year ,I've never seen anyone do the man justice but 'Absolute Bowie' are 'Absolutely Perfect' !!!!
Next Time .... Back to the Home Counties
Lmi xo
