THE MAGNETS - Gobsmacked!

THE MAGNETS

GOBSMACKED

The Vagabond

Garden of Unearthly Delights

7pm til Feb 29th (3pm matinees 25th & 26th).

Adelaide was already becoming smitten with six piece a cappella sensations The Magnets at last years Cabaret Festival. Now it seems the affair is in full bloom. Some of the audience already has it's favourites before they hit the stage and everybody else is on board an hour later. Unlike many a cappella outfits who use backing tapes, drum tracks and other 'enhancements' The Magnets perform every note, bass and drum sound live on stage with their mouths. There are many moments when this doesn't seem remotely possible. Because not only is the music that they make is multi-layered and perfectly mixed but they are all dancing, striking poses, flirting with the audience all at the same time. They certainly do songs you know and love, but they rearrange, re-imagine them and mash them up (bossa nova Bon Jovi anyone?), and deliver each song with a sense of fun and slick professionalism. In a punchy 60 minute set they cover songs by Elvis Presley, The Killers, Blondie, Blur and Lenny Kravitz. At various times a song would finish and people would be propelled to their feet, a spontaneous way of expressing 'just sitting clapping isn't enough'. Highlights are many, but a great version of Florence & The Machine's Dogs Days Are Over and a staggering take on Adele's Rolling In The Deep are personal favourites. The Adele song also contains Andy Frosts beat box or 'drum' solo which is well worth the price of entry all on it's own, absolutely incredible. How to finish? They give the audience the choice of TWO 26 song medleys, one of bands and one of movies. Guess I'll just have to go back to hear the movie one. What a shame I'm so upset! The response from the audience is rapturous and as they are only playing til Feb 29, I suggest you get in to see the Magnets while you still can.

Ian Bell