Adelaide Fringe review 2017: The Magnets — Can You Feel It?
ROCKING new voices, new faces and new songs, this latest incarnation of the phenomenal UK sonic six-pack that is The Magnets will captivate both past fans and newbies.
The Magnets — Can You Feel It?
Music *****
The GOUD — The Factory, until March 19
ROCKING new voices, new faces and new songs, this latest incarnation of the phenomenal UK sonic six-pack that is The Magnets will captivate both past fans and newbies.
Long before the Pitch Perfect franchise popularised a cappella for a new generation, this UK outfit was blowing crowds away and the 2017 line-up of six synergistic stars proves those powers of attraction have only grown stronger.
From the opening notes, the lads entrance the crowd with heaven-sent harmonies, gobsmacking vocal gymnastics and cheeky charm, in a show that is truly for all ages.
Can You Feel It’s set-list soars and dips to showcase the virtuosity of each performer
from the lilting high notes of Welsh wonder Michael Conway on Lay Me Down to the spine-tingling lows of muscular bass-guy Duncan Sandilands, and Scottish charmer Callum McIntosh’s stunning take on the Nina Simone classic Feelin’ Good.
Charismatic Billy Boothroyd has the chops to take on the queen of Adelaide Oval Adele with Hello, while irreverent Aussie Damion Scarcella brings the fun with Jolene and really kicks it out of the park with Aqua’sBarbie Girl— delivered in eight musical styles from reggae to opera and hip hop.
He’s ably assisted by three-time UK Beatbox Champion Ball Zee, who also blows us away with preternatural percussion abilities in his solo spot — virtually worth the price of admission alone.
Other standards include title tune The Jackon 5’s Can You Feel It, Uptown Funk and Minnie the Moocher
It’s all thriller no filler — pitch perfect, in fact.
Jackie Tracy