Postmodern Jukebox, Auckland NZ, 2018

Postmodern Jukebox

5th October 2018
Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Adam Jones. Photography by Mark Derricutt.

Heading in to Auckland’s Town Hall on a vibrant spring evening, there’s an air of times past caused in part by the throwback Charleston style outfits that the people walking in are wearing and the sense of community that is ruminating from them. This isn’t a trip down memory lane, but it feels like it could be when watching an act such as this evening’s. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) has become something of an international smash hit, carving out its niche by re-introducing the world to the classic sounds of big band, jazz, swing and motown through its covers of modern day chart toppers. The musical ensemble which has a rotating cast of lead vocalists and guest musicians has sold out all over the world and subsequently has amassed a legion of passionate fans, many of whom have turned out in their droves to watch them tonight.

The evening started off with a bang as the band took to the stage led by Scott Bradlee himself and the effervescent MC for the evening, Ariana Savalas to perform an exceptional jazz interpretation of Sisqo’s 1999 hit ‘Thong Song’. If you came in to this show not knowing what to expect, this surely set the tone perfectly. Postmodern Jukebox may initially be dismissed as just a troupe performing covers based off of YouTube popularity, but they give each song such a unique flourish and retro flavour that the compositions become theirs, whilst still being recognisable. This leads to a rapturous reception everywhere they perform, especially tonight where the audience jumped to their feet and danced in the aisles, their voices matching the volume and power of the vocal talents on stage, particularly during the energetic big band reworking of the Haddaway’s classic, ‘What is Love (Baby Don’t Hurt Me)’.

The vocal talents for the Auckland show were world class and all unique in their delivery and style. Long term fan favourite and all round heartbreaker Von Smith was joined by the San Francisco Bay Area powerhouse Mario Jose, seventeen year old starlet Olivia Kuper Harris (the winner of 2017’s #PMJ Search contest winner), the sultry Brielle Von Hugel and as previously mentioned, Ariana Savalas, who’s performance as the provocative ringmaster captivated the hearts (and affections) of the audience all of which came to a head when she led a fan on stage and delivered a seductive strip tease to the tune of Ginuwines ‘Pony’. The temperature of the Town Hall reached a fever pitch as she delivered a knockout performance and I’m sure a lot of people went home with a smile on their face after watching that, particularly the lucky member of the crowd who was involved.

Not to be pushed to the shadows, the musicians were on top form with relentless jazz drumming, duelling brass sections, the galloping rhythm of the double bass and to top it all off, Arissa Lee brought her tap shoes and she used them to their full potential, captivating the audience with an energetic routine to the Harry Potter main theme, wonderfully played out on clarinet by Chloe Feoranzo. The dancing and music intertwined perfectly throughout the whole show, the atmosphere palpable; and this never ceased, not even for a moment, especially when Mario Jose took centre stage for ‘Where Are U Now’, locking you into a time and place where you forgot everything and felt like the song was being sung just for you.

Highlight of the evening was without a doubt Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, a punishing, self loathing song which when redressed by Postmodern Jukebox, had the venue lit up with lights from mobile phones and everyone singing along to the emotive ballad. With a set list that included Outkasts ‘Hey Ya’, Beyonce’s ‘All The Single Ladies’, a majestic cover of Maroon 5’s ‘Sunday Morning’, and the particular long standing audience favourite of Smash Mouths ‘Rock Star’ that was all closed up with Taylor Swifts ‘Shake It Off’ – which was arguably better than the original – the night was beyond perfection.

As the show closed and each member of this fantastic cast brandished their unique talent, you realised just how fast time can go as two hours felt like ten minutes and you were left wanting more. It’s easy to see why Postmodern Jukebox have gained the international acclaim that they have. Scott Bradlee is taking the mainstream and reimagining it for an audience that would not otherwise have been exposed to the sound of generations past, to a time when music was passionate and had soul. I implore you to check out Post Modern Jukebox if you have not listened to them before and try not to smile, because there was no one leaving the Town Hall tonight without a huge telltale sign on their face that they had witnessed something truly magical.

Were you there at the Auckland Town Hall for this amazing retro party? Or have you seen Postmodern Jukebox perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Setlist:

1. Sisqo – Thong Song
2. Sam Smith – I’m Not the Only One
3. Katy Perry – Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)
4. Justin Timberlake – Cry Me A River
5. Outkast – Hey Ya
6. Radiohead – No Surprises
7. Harry Potter Theme – Tap Dance Interlude
8. Ginuwine – Pony
9. Skrillex & Diplo – Where Are U Now w/ Justin Bieber
10. Beyonce – All The Single Ladies
11. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance
12. Smash Mouth – Rockstar
13. Selena Gomez – Same Old Love
14. Maroon 5 – Sunday Morning
15. Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the dark
16. Tears For Fears – Mad World
17. Radiohead – Creep
18. [Happy Birthday Interlude]
19. Meghan Trainor – All About The Bass
20. Haddaway – What Is Love (Baby Don’t Hurt Me)
21. Taylor Swift – Shake It Off

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