As I walked into the Liverpool Empire last night it was as if I had stepped back 20 years.
80's Mania had hit Liverpool, onlookers were wowed by dozens of ladies in neon pink legwarmers and tee-shirts bearing the slogan 'I Love the 80's'. Not forgetting the girls who dressed to impress in their tutu's, the atmosphere was electric!
The tribute act opened with a classic from Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Two Tribes, and a rather exotic performance of Relax. The sexy dancers wearing black skimpy underwear certainly impressed the gentlemen in the crowd as I overheard two blokes sat behind us uttering: 'This is why I came!'
The two male singers made a fine effort in tribute but their voices were not the strongest, the female singer proved her worth as she took to the stage to belt out Kim Wilde's Kids in America.
Reminiscing about the good old days was easy when songs like Just Can't Get Enough, Tainted Love and Video Killed the Radio Star were blasting from the stage.
The dancers who accompanied the vocal artists were incredible, how many people can actually dance and move in time to the beat of the music on Roller Boots, I ask you!
Next came a brilliant touch when the tribute act to Nina sang 99 Red Balloons, red balloons (I didn't have chance to count 99!) fell from above much to the crowds delight, who began hitting them all over the auditorium.
With songs from Culture Club, Spandau Ballet, Adam and the Ants and Cindy Lauper, the audience were on their feet and enjoying every minute of the performance of this multi-talented cast.
The first half ended in Madness with a duo of Baggy Trousers and House of Fun.
The interval was a bizarre mix of groups of ladies with 80's outfits on along with the glow bands and flashing head boppers, and a huge number of plainly dressed gangs who I suspect wished they'd made more of an effort to join in the fun.
The second half kicked off with a huge wave of nostalgia in Ray Parker Jnr version of Ghostbusters, followed by Bananarama's Venus.
The hyped up crowd were thrilled to get a version of Aha's Take On Me, followed by Toni Basil's 'Hey Mickey'.
Still on their feet and if anything like me, hands sore from clapping, we were entertained with a trio of Madonna songs, Holiday, Material Girl and Like a Virgin.
The fun continued with Erasure's Respect and Duran Duran's Hungry Like The Wolf and Rio, but no 80s night could be complete without Wham! Classics Freedom, I'm Your Man and Wake Me Up Before You Go Go went down a storm.
But were we ready to go home? No way, this audience screamed "We want more!", stamping their feet until the night closed with an wonderful encore of the Phil Oakley track (and a personal favourite) Electric Dreams.
All in all it was an amazing night, if only it had taken place on a Saturday night as I was ready to hit the 80's club afterwards. Instead I headed straight home, head buzzing and ready to dig out my 80's CDs, Roller boots and Rubix Cube.
8/10
80s Mania is touring the UK until June 2011, check out the dates at http://www.80smaniashow.com/
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