The wonderful Steve Walls again opened the evening session with a classical Barry Manilow number “Could It Be Magic” which got everyones attention and put them in the mood for the evening’s entertainment.

First onstage were Infantasia who had overcome a major hurdle to even appear at the show with lead vocalist John checking himself out of hospital to be able to perform. To this end Infantasia decided to give us their Abba tribute show rather than the full on multi-tribute that they normally perform. Infantasia are obviously very talented and have been at it for a lengthy time as this told in their great delivery of the set. Try and catch the full show if you can – it will be worth it.

Seemingly very new to the scene is vocalist Mikala, who opened her spot with the Duffy hit Mercy (the crew’s bet for the most performed song of the week). The number was performed in a somewhat copycat style which was a slight shame as she has a wonderful soulful voice and should use it to make herself different Her second number was the classic Brenda Lee Speak t Me and she finished in great style the wonderful Etta James track At Last. This young lady, while still having a lot to learn should have a big future and I’m sure this is isn’t the last we will hear of her.

Three stunning, sexy guys that had so much charm and appeal with their looks alone were B Tempted and when they began to sing they were fantastic. Their fabulous rendition of The Temptations smash Get Ready was just fabulous. These three chaps delivered a superb set and the only negative point was the use of fade out tracks – a fault repeated a few times during the showcase. That said B Tempted were a very appealing group of lads to look and listen to!

Well what can I say! Diamonds Are Forever, a tribute to Shirley Bassey, was just absolutely amazing. After seeing Melissa before she was made up as Dame Shirley the transformation was stunning. The voice is absolutely outstanding and the mannerisms true to life. This is clearly an act that has spent both the time and the effort to create the perfect tribute!

Vicus hails from my neck of the woods and truly has a sound of his own. He has charm and appeal and would be suitable for almost any venue. His version of the Percy Sledge classic When a Man Loves a Woman showed excellent use of his head voice. Appearing in his all important trademark white suit he was outstanding. Mike Constantia told me he was good – and he was right!

Entertaining the early comers before the curtain went up in a meet and greet role was excellent close up magician Mark James and compere Steve Walls brought Mark onstage to introduce him to the bookers. Using his couple of minutes on stage to full effect he showed he was a very funny man with a huge personality and even performed a visual illusion on Steve's head which obviously amused the audience.

From close up magic to full-scale illusion in the form of Urban Myth. This boy/girl act had an amazing start to their part of the show with an illusion moving his partner’s head back and forth. The true magic was that the head stayed on her shoulders intact – excellent. It was also nice to see a young act confident in involving the audience and they are undoubtedly an extremely talented pair and as the audience will testify, not bad mathematicians either. Wow!

Female vocalist Andrea Dickinson came onto the stage to Heart’s soft rock number Alone. Andrea is a lovely looking girl but the vocals seemed a little strained. This was a very big song but the power vocal was not quite there. A stunning lady with obviously a mass of talent but in my opinion possible needs to look at something that really suits her vocal range. Well done.

One of my favourite ever acts has to be comedy duo No Idea – this show is just the tops. How Sue puts up with the irrepressible John Coolie I do not know but then again she is just as mad as he is. Some new material had been added since I last saw them in the form of Riverdance. It is unusual to see agents and bookers getting involved never mind laughing at an act but these two managed it. I loved them and so did everyone else. Now I believe John is hoping to become the mayor of St Helens – God help us! I am crying just trying to write this review.

Harry Cambridge is a vocalist who needs no introduction at all. A fireman with a mega talent, he is an absolute dream to listen to and watch. This man’s name has been on the end of my tongue since I first saw him way back in February at the very first Keeping It Live showcase where he had the audience captivated by not just his voice but also his whole persona. Yet again Harry gave us a superb performance mixing Al Green with surprisingly Barbara Streisand. He is a vocalist who certainly knows how to deliver the songs he performs – wonderful!

This is the first time I have seen these two girls of Scarlet Kiss. This duo is two lovely girls with lots of energy and though this is an act that still has a bit to learn be assured they will get there in the end. A point worth noting is that if they are going to do harmonies and work together they need to make sure that they get rid of the backing vocals on their tracks then I am sure that they will then become a popular club act.

Scott Bench Taylor was another performer battling a cold but it didn’t seem to stop this smartly dressed young man fro delivering a very lively spot. From his opening with Ain’t To Proud To Beg to I Wish It Would Rain he obviously has a talent for keeping it lively and it was a lovely delivery of a showcase set. Another gripe about fade out tracks though I’m afraid.

Stunningly dressed vocalist Lisa Kelsey opened her set with a classic originally recorded by the late Dean Martin but given a new lease of life with the recent Pussycat Dolls cover. Lisa is a great singer and mover but strangely seemed to get a lack of audience reaction, which is a shame because I personally think she has a lot to give. It is apparent that she loves the songs from the musicals and that is probably where her niche lies. Well-done Lisa.

Male vocalist Alistair Raines has a stage presence that shows that he has been at this game for quite a time. He smiles and that for me says that he is obviously enjoying what he does. Alistair’s use of the backing musicians showed just how versatile this act is. The highlight of his set and an absolute dream to listen to was The Prayer with which he kept his audience captivated with his melodic rendition. An excellent set charismatically delivered.

West End Story was a package show performed by a five piece vocal group that were full of high energy and attitude. This show would be perfect as a show on a cruise ship or in a hotel setting as musically it had great harmonies and delivered a fab sound. I felt that some of the choreography needed some attention in some places but on the whole it was a feel good show capturing the popularity of the popular London shows and was well presented.

Popular male vocal duo Harris & Day stepped in at the last minute to replace one of their agents published acts and they opened their polished set with the Queen track Crazy Little Thing Called Love which was then followed by something very different and obviously one of their party pieces, a rendition of Do-Re-Mi from the Sound Of Music. Great singers with an enjoyable touch of comedy on this showing and it was an enjoyable performance.

Ending the first day of Keeping it Live! was an act of pure class – the awesome family band Beardsmith. With ages ranging from around nine to Dad (whose age we do not mention) this is an immensely talented family playing instruments of all kinds and then each passing over to the next member until you forget who is playing what. This is truly one heck of a talent all on one stage. From drum solos to superb harmonies, particularly on Bohemian Rhapsody, this was top class musicianship and entertainment. It is not often that an act gets a standing ovation and cries for an encore at a showcase but everyone seemed to love this fabulous act.