Tuesday evening and standing room only – and not much of that! It was great to see a packed house at The Horseshoe as the Keeping it Live! band launched into their overture and Steve Walls greeted the eager audience.
 
Opening the show fell to three piece band Rebel Territory. These lads are obviously very talented musicians who performed their set with loads of confidence. I am not too sure where they would fit into the club or corporate market but they are definitely a band for the young ones and probably a nightclub or rock venue would be more suited to this type of act, but never the less well-done lads on a great set.

It was a pleasure once again to see this young vocalist Amanda Seal making an appearance on the Keeping it Live! Showcase. Opening with an Amy Winehouse song “Back To Black” I am not sure whether Amanda is trying to be a tribute or just performing the song, Amanda then followed with “Sweet About Me and finished her spot with a cracking number “The Does Nothing”. Well-done Amanda.

This is the first time that I have seen J D Fitzgerald, a male vocalist with great stage presence and the looks and voice to go with it. I was slightly disappointed with his second song “Save The Last Dance For Me” as there appeared to be some slight miss pitching, maybe this was down to nerves, so get a grip on them as you obviously enjoy what you do and it shows. Following with a great classic “Never Too Much” so I have to say on this one he redeemed himself and he ended his spot with “Lovely Day”.

Fu2ion are a three harmony female vocal group who opened their set with “Another Brick In the Wall”. Although the vocals where very well harmonised there seemed to me to be a slight lack of confidence in each other and instead of looking out the audience the seemed to be looking at each other. Following this with the a number by the Sugababes I feel that this trio need a little more experience behind them before going on a showcase of this size which can be daunting to even seasoned professionals. Never the less a great spot and in another twelve months I am sure that Fu2ion will have fused!

Complete with bagpipes, drums and kilts, Celtic Spirit are a defo to book for corporate events, or anywhere else in fact. They really had the crowd clapping along and feet were tapping throughout the room. Obviously I am not too sure what the name of the songs are but you had to laugh that they decided to wear underwear as it was too cold for them to go without them in the usual fashion!. They have supported some legendary bands like Status Quo etc and play at the beginning of international football matches in Scotland. These three lads are very talented and something different is always nice to hear and Celtic Spirit are certainly that. Fantastic.

Comedy duo Harper are two lads who have good harmony vocals and great comedy but I was a little bit disappointed that much of the set was the same showcase piece that I have now seen on several occasions but, that said, they were popular with the audience and everyone in The Horseshoe really enjoyed them. Maybe some new stuff next time lads – just for me!

Vocalist Michelle McLean opened her spot with a dance version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow followed by From A Distance originally sang by Bette Midler. Michelle has a lovely voice and would fit into most venues and maybe could venture onto the cruise ship market. Michelle is an act I would again like to hear use a live band.

Davey Nicholls started off his entertainment life in a band and has now branched out on his own. Opening with Human this smartly dressed young man got a great reception from the crowd, following with Rule The World by Take That. Davey has a wonderful powerful vocal and oozes confidence that makes for tremendous stage presentation. Well done Davey - a fabulous end his spot with his super rendition of This Is The Moment.

One Way are definitely my kind of group! Fantastic musicians and vocals prove what a great party band these guys are. They certainly kept me dancing in my seat from the very start of their spot. I loved them, their harmonies where brilliant and their dress sense and stage presentation were excellent. Anyone who books these guys will have a great night I am sure.

R n B are an all female duo who their show backed by some fabulous dancers called the Efekt Crew. These are two separate acts that decided to come together for the show and showcase, their acts together and obviously both sets of acts are talented. Harmonies from the duo where great, then comes another surprise when we have a fab drag queen with a fluffy duck puppet. Not to mention the fire work. Very hard to review these two acts as one but either way it was brilliant entertainment.

It has to be said that comedian Dave Adams is not for the faint hearted. One of the best known adult comedians in the business, Dave is unsurprisingly quite rude and straight to the point and very, very funny. At one point he suffered from being nearly drowned out by the backstage pump arresting a flood in the toilets but carried on like a true pro! Marcus told me he has seen him work a squeaky clean set too. I really enjoyed him.

Young vocalist Laura Magann opened her spot with Aint No Mountain High Enough followed with a swing number called Like Being In Love using the Keeping it Live! band. A classy looking lady that obviously makes an effort when going on stage and ending her set with a tremendous version of the Alexandra Burke hit Hallelujah. Well done Laura on a great set.

A charming fellow is Paul Child all the way from South Wales and this lad has a lovely personality. It is hard to keep a group of bookers happy, especially when they have had a drink or two, but he did. He also used the live backing which is a string to anyone’s bow. Lovely spot.

Trouble - Caroline Lowe portrays Amy Winehouse to a T. What can you say about this girl as she must have spent hours and hours watching Amy herself to come out and perfect this act. Vocally perfect and image wise the same. Again well done Caroline, it shines through when this level of obvious shows when dedication is used.

Mark Allen is a confident young man with bags of appeal. Mark is obviously a very experienced vocalist, both in local work and also onboard the ships and always seems to get a great reception wherever he goes. Still a young man, Mark has years and years in front of him to make it even bigger than the club scene.

After working abroad for a great amount of time, since vocalist Eddie Wallace came home he has never looked back, He is a great act with loads of personality and determination to keep his act alive. Eddie what can I say - I really enjoyed your spot.

Closing a tremendous Keeping it Live! session were a great party band but these guys dress like the Wiggles from Cbeebies! Putting that aside Carrie McGann’s GTB (Good Thinking Batman) are a cracking group that would suit most party and corporate events. Playing live I certainly think that they would fit in at most kinds of venue.

Once again we had a smooth running show and it was just left to compere Steve Walls to sign off the evenings entertainment and for Mickey and the boys to have one last blast – terrific entertainment playing to an absolutely packed house – we were definitely Keeping it Live!

My act of the session: Celtic Spirit