This will teach me to have back ups of my reviews elsewhere!
Because I’ve been unwell I am only now reviewing the show that was held at the Charles Hotel 21st October 2016.
80s Inc and Earl Cole showed off their usual prowess – this very accomplished group of musicians, very experienced and multi skilled – treated to flute and sax and golden voices. This we expect from 80s Inc but this performance you could tell that they had been really working hard. Snappier, sharper and with great stage presence and interactions have really lifted the bar.
You can tell that they love the music, because it’s not just a tired old cover, they’re bringing their own touches, magic and exultation to these songs and it’s a joy to see for any 80’s fan, young, old or of the era because it shares the excitement of the era. The pulse quickening flute during Land Down Under, the haunting Echo Beach and sheer bubbling joy of it all, every song a celebration of itself.
We were very sad to have to leave before the fourth set – but the first three sets gave us so much music and fun that we felt like we’d seen a full show, and then some! Alas we had a tournament the next day. Dancing for three sets and then a 44 hole disc golf tournament, well the music must have worked magic because Rob won and I made the top group!
Speaking of dancing – maybe I’m old but when did it become the thing, or even de rigueur to bring your drink onto the dance floor. So annoying when you get a drink tipped over you, and the person doesn’t even realise they’ve done it. Or is it just the Charles. If you've got a drink you can't really dance, if you want to dance, your drink is just going to be a menace to the people around you.
The Charles dance floor is tiny – or maybe it’s just because 80s Inc makes everyone dance. All of us in the 80s who were too shy, too shy, (hush hush eye to eye) to dance in the 80s but wanted to are now all older and out of our adolescent angst, and want to dance to the music we loved then. And 80s inc do it so well! So all the wallflowers have invaded the garden, and its only a small plot. It probably would have been a big enough dance floor back then, but not now.
Great band, and highly recommended. They’re playing the Leopold in Bicton this Saturday, so check them out if you’re down that way and tickets are left.
Some marvellous photography by Rob Masters
