Featured image: Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox
Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) brought a boisterous night of fun to Manchester’s Albert Hall, playing contemporary covers with their signature roaring ‘20s twist.
With only a modestly sized band, PMJ creates a boisterous atmosphere that seems well beyond the capacity of just a saxophone, trumpet, drum kit, piano, bass and guitar. A testament to the musicians, who not only played their instruments with immaculate precision but also exuded their infectiously buoyant personalities onto the audience.
The band laid down the backdrop, allowing the spotlight to be directly shone on the lineup of insanely talented vocalists. Highlights included a cover of Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’ by the trio of female vocalists and a cathartically heartfelt rendition of ‘Someone Like You’ by Kings of Leon. An unexpected joy of PMJ’s seamlessly endless repertoire was the inclusion of a tap dancer. Her humorous jives with the band offered up an interesting variation to the night’s proceedings.
At times, the cabaret-style gig felt more like a night at the circus. Different members of the band showed off their party tricks and performed comedic skits, bouncing off each other’s high octane positive energy. This made the night feel all the more special as they gave the impression that most of their shenanigans were unscripted and only for the eyes of those lucky enough to be in the room with them.
The mad-cap ensemble wasn’t just style and no substance. Teetering on the line between chaos and precision, the audience always felt like they were in safe hands. Their musical talent was matched in leaps and bounds by their humour and heartfelt sincerity. When the saxophonist cheekily brandished a Man City flag, PMJ was confronted by a cacophony of cheers and boos. Closing the night with messages of love and supreme humility, PMJ sent love heart signs and donned the flag of Ukraine as they thanked the audience for their support through the difficult time of the pandemic.
Postmodern Jukebox is a gang that everyone wants to be in. Although any audience would be forgiven for being jealous they can’t join them on tour, for those couple of hours at their gigs, you are invited to join them as an honorary member of those loveable rogues. You’ll laugh, dance and perhaps even cry – but above all you are promised a wonderful time.
More information and tickets for Postmodern Jukebox UK and Europe Tour 2022 can be found here.
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