Keeping it Live!

The band opening the evening session were Infantasia - The Tribute Show. Opening with a Freddie Mercury lookalike they then ran into a not quite so good sounding Cher. Instrumentally the band initially comprised a female keyboard player and a male guitar player. The Phil Collins soundalike was vocally good at sounding like the real thing and then proceeded to play the drums as the original artist. I think the next character was supposed to be Robbie Williams but really didn't do it justice. Great costumes but overall there where only one or two vocals that resembled the real thing. A good mix of music and everyone seemed to enjoy the group. Well done.

Elicia is a young lady all the way from Wakefield making her way into the tribute industry as the one and only Diana Ross. Having recently worked on the BBC programme “The One & Only” I think that this young lady could possibly do her justice and even more as she matures. The vocals are still very young and the mannerisms need perfecting as well as the hair and make-up. On the whole a great attempt and a well-delivered, pleasing set.

Male/female duo Compulsion opened their set with a classic of “Blondie”. Striking looking female vocalist with great dress to suit the duo and the songs alike. Their music seems to comprise of up-beat popular songs that got the audience clapping along. A great act for the working men's clubs. Nice harmonies and a pleasant set performed.

Using the Keeping It Live! band vocalist Craig Leach slipped onto the stage with a wonderful rendition of “Somewhere”. An amazing tenor range power vocalist with a superb talent. His opener had the audience sitting up in their seats which is not easy as most of them are bookers and agents and have heard it all before. An excellent performance - there must be somewhere in the corporate market for this young man.

It is obvious that Samantha Link is a well-established performer as her list of venues and ships that she has worked on is endless. A delightful musical theatre performer who would be suited to that type of work as well as corporate venues. A classy lady with a lovely sweet melodic voice. I am sure there is a part in West End musical for this lady whose act was beautifully put across to everyone and they loved it.

5 piece band 80s Rewind are made up of two guys and three girls. Opening their set with a “Prince” number 1999. Delivery was very 80s just as their act states and very good they were too. Changing tempo they took us back with a song recorded by T'Pau - China In Your Hands. Super harmonies and very polished you would have thought that they were the real thing. A great set of songs and I would love to see and hear the complete show because I am sure that it would be worth the ticket money alone. Great stuff.

Strike 2 are two guys who come from Blackpool and they are very impressive vocally. Their harmonies are great but the belt notations are a little strained. They have great stage presence and enjoy performing, but I don't see them in a corporate market with this act, but will do great in a family environment of entertainment.

What a showman! Roy G Hemmings and The Primettes came on stage and he had the audience eating of his hands. With two stunning female vocal backing singers, dressed in such a classy manner the whole thing looked like magic. His dress sense and the music just moulded together with the vocals. Absolutely fabulous. This act has a charm of his own and is just top class. And well done to the girls too. Roy also has a complete 8-piece band and he added a nice touch to his set by inviting his female saxophone player onto the stage, she was an awesome player and can sing too. Ladies - we are talented after all! Brilliant.

Having seen vocalist Martin Gregory-Lambert before as a compere, it was nice to hear and see him as an act, even if it was only for ten minutes. A great voice and presentation. Martin if put in local clubs will be wasted, he is destined for better things I am sure and hopefully someone will help put him in that direction. Great vocalist and great personality.

Dressed in a suit that was so loud that it caught your eye straight away, The Outrageous Billy Porter is a Scottish camp comedian and “little fruity” as Steve Walls described him, but I have to say ever so funny and and a really good singer too, which is always an added extra. He really is what it says - “Outrageous”. Superb.

Caroline Lowe was next on stage and this was the first time that I have seen a decent Amy Winehouse tribute. I think that anyone who tries to portray this act thinks that if they slap on the make-up and clothes they become the artist, well that is not so. Caroline has done a lot of study on this artist and the vocals are very impressive, as good as the real thing. If Amy Winehouse had not been discovered this girl would. The vocals are brilliant and the mannerisms of the infamous Winehouse and looks are frightening. Absolutely outstanding.

With two lads on guitars, one on bongos and a female singer, Rox Electra have travelled the world. A modern style band performing some classics from the 80s and 90s. they had a great number of the audience clapping along with them. Not a working men's club act, more overseas entertainers. Great spot.

I remember the two lads of Caution when they started off at the tender age of 15 years old. They had all the girls falling at their feet, but the cute factor helped. I was so looking forward to hearing and seeing them but on this showing I was a little disappointed. They just didn't seem to have progressed much in the past few years. Their stage presentation was poor and they did not seem to be able to hold the audience. Whatever you do lads, regardless of how you feel, “Always smile” a little at least. Try to take some time to work on your stage presentation - you have a talent so use it and sell yourself.

Female vocalist Shona burst onto the stage with “Crazy Chick” and using the Keeping It Live Band! let everyone know that she was here, so sit back and listen. Great stage presence and super power vocals. Nice to hear that Shona slow things down and sing a lovely rendition of the world famous “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”. After a costume change, Shona finished her spot with “All That Jazz” including a full dance routine. Her set was delivered very well.

I have never had the opportunity to view male vocalist Jimmy's Love’s act before, but I can say that he has a great rapport on stage. and a very high-energy act. I again was pleased to see Jimmy use the Keeping It Live! band for his second song “Moondance”. Unfortunately Jimmy missed the second time verse, but as a true professional he came back in and the talented band jumped back, brilliant. Jimmy finished his spot with “Easy” by Lionel Ritchie. His spot was beautifully delivered with complete professionalism.

One Stop Boogie closed the very first Keeping It Live! showcase here at the Horseshoe Bar, Blackpool, and what a great band to finish the night off. A really fantastic party band that would go down well wherever you put them. They have great vocals and harmonies and the musicians where fantastic. This group made up of five members in my opinion are knockout. Great spot guys - you took me back to my youth.