TimeOut Belting out 80s hits

l CAIRNS

| NICK DALTON

THE Reef Hotel Casino is going back in time to the 1980s to bring the best music of the period to the entertainment venue on Friday and Saturday (March 3 and 4).

Entertainment manager Bruce Stewart said “it is back to the 80s with the bigger, badder more bodacious big noise live”.

“The casino jumped back to the 80s several times in 2022 and to the delight of the casino and patrons stepping back to the 80s. It certainly was timely,” he said.

“Cairns loves the 80s it seems. It was bigger than New Year’s Eve.

“Back to the 80s has been an overwhelming suc- cess with the live shows by local act Big Noise.

Mr Stewart said the casino production team worked closely with the band to jointly produce “a sight, sound and visual experience for anyone who came along”.

“It is an authentic 80s night, with more than three hours of live music, which is also recorded,” he said.

“It was something we were going to roll out preCovid but it looks like the wait certainly was worth it, with 2022 becoming the new 1982.”

Mr Stewart said the ‘bigger badder’ Big Noise repackaged themselves for the shows, with a fourpiece. Adrian Cartwright is taking to the front of the stage as front man, rolling out hit after hit with members Jock Williamson , Dale Monaghan and Brad Townsend.

The band has been consistently playing at venues throughout the region for the last 25 years.

“We try and play each cover as close as the original as possible with the energy that only a live band can give,” the band said.

“We also try and do as many requests as possible. If the crowd wants it, we’ll play it.”

Mr Stewart said the band covered all the 80s genres and unique 80s sounds “from Brit new wave to American anthem to NZ pop and Aussie rock”.

Casino bars and restaurant manager Mikaela Ries-Rogers said the music would be “fused with a lighting show and visuals to match and transforms our BAR36 and foyer into animmersive 80s club taking the audience on a musical journey back to the 80s”.

“We were blown away about how many people dressed up in 80s gear. It was a great surprise,” she said.

The free shows are from 4-8pm on Friday and Saturday at BAR 36.