9 minute read
Reviews
Discover what Shire’s team thought of the concerts, live events and theatre shows they’ve seen over the past couple of months at local venues If you have a show in the Shire area, we can send a reviewer – and your show can appear on these pages too! Email editorial@
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REWIND, NORTH CAPESTHORNE HALL, MACCLESFIELD
Scritti Politti, Level 42, Johnny Hates Jazz, Heather Small – they’re all here. Kim Wilde looks amazing and is a true star. She strokes her brothers Ricky’s bald head several times. Holly Johnson headlines and one over-excited fan jumps the stage. “The
On Sunday, it seems the whole of Cheshire has whole of turned out to see Jazzie B of Soul II Soul. Tom Bailey Cheshire (Thomson Twins) has the audience in his hand. Chesney Hawkes doesn’t stop smiling. Belinda Carlisle dances. So many people mention how the performers have aged. is here for Jazzie B” Perhaps it’s time to take a look in the mirror… DL ★★★
CARFEST 2022, BOLESWORTH
After a two-year wait there was a lot of excitement surrounding the return of CarFest North, the biggest charity fundraising festival in the country. Hosted as always by Chris Evans, the event brought together cars and music over a three-day spectacular and also threw in side festivals focused on food, wellness, kids and other areas.
The event is extremely well organised – from parking to clearly signed toilets (that were kept clean and stocked with paper!) and creating an atmosphere where even younger children felt safe and were able to wander. Nile Rodgers and Chic stole the show on the last night as expected, but prior to that we enjoyed Sister Sledge, Rick Parfitt Jnr, excellent tribute acts for both
“Good Elvis and Elton John DJ sets and some good DJ sets including Judge Jules” including one from the legendary Judge Jules. Food options were delicious, everything from noodles to gyros, and the crowd was in excellent spirits, in glitter and wacky outfits. Did the rain matter? Not a bit! KS ★★★★★
ANUVAB PAL AT MARKET DRAYTON FESTIVAL CENTRE
Anuvab Pal was born in Kolkata and came to Market Drayton for a fringe event of the Ginger & Spice Festival; Robert Clive was born in Drayton and went to Calcutta to further the British Raj. It was a symmetry primed for corrosive humour. But from the start – “I look like I work in HSBC risk management” – Anuvab delivered a comedy of manners, with plenty of laughs among the cultural comparisons and only a few barbs along the way.
The British of empire days were “Just old people with wigs and guns.” They left in 1948, which Anuvab called the first Brexit. “Now our country is run
by the app Uber.” Corruption featured in passing: “It’s the only thing we Indians respect above integrity.” According to “Now our Anuvab, India has country is run by the app Uber” 1.3 billion people, rising by 10 per cent a year. “Five Indians come to see my show, 112 leave.” Cue a story about mating elephants blocking the road and people averting their eyes. “India is the only country where the elephant in the room is a real elephant.” JH ★★★★
MARTIN KEMP, TATTON PARK POP-UP FESTIVAL, CHESHIRE
Martin Kemp actually brought his ‘Back to the 80s’ DJ set to Knutsford – wow! It’s all thanks to local entrepreneur Rebecca Hartley (see page 112), who has staged this and the previous five weeks of events here. What a beautiful setting for concerts.
Wandering around the posh sofas, parasols and happy people, I spot Cheryl Fergison (ex Eastenders) and Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd. Jack is such a bubbly person and so nice.
Martin arrives after 9pm and by 9.30pm is on stage. There’s no direct light, he’s just a shadow at the front, so I have to use a small flash – otherwise there would be no pictures for you to see! As soon as he’s behind the decks, the smile is switched on and he’s away, spinning tunes to the delight of his fans. DL ★★★
Deborah Law
British band Turin Brakes are underrated, in my humble opinion. Their hits including ‘Underdog (Save Me)’ and ‘Pain Killer (Summer Rain)’ date from the early noughties and go beyond the usual dance floor or guitar ‘bangers’ to offer up thoughtful commentary on situations we all experience and the times we find ourselves living in.
This is why I found myself at a standing gig at Theatre Severn’s Walker Theatre in Shrewsbury, as they played the first date of an extensive UK tour. The tour heralds the release of their ninth studio album WideEyed Nowhere. Nine albums is no mean feat. Turin Brakes have sold more than a million records globally and have been around for nearly a quarter of a century!
The South London fourpiece comprise lead singer Olly
Knights, Gale Paridjanian, Rob Allum and Eddie Myer. They recorded this album at Twin Palms, Olly’s garden studio, over the summer of 2021 and are justifiably immensely proud of it. “We “By the end, his surprised ourselves with what came out; a sweeter, groovier set soulful of songs in no hurry voice was to be anything but flying” themselves.” Olly’s voice, which is distinctive, soulful, clear and resounding, grew in confidence, until by the end it was flying, and the foursome were giddily hugging, deciding what to play as an encore Catch them touring until April 2023. CB. ★★★★★
XPLORE!
We visited Xplore! with our boys aged two and five. The colourful layout, along with helpful, child-friendly staff made us feel instantly at home. For the price, we were very impressed with everything on offer, including a cafe, benches for eating your own picnic, a
well-stocked gift shop – and of course the activity tables. There was enough to keep our active boys entertained for several hours. There are step stools for smaller children to access activities and lockers to store belongings. “Well worth the The interactive science shows were a great way to learn entry fee” whilst still having fun. CJ★★★★
DATES: Thu 1st Dec 6pm | Fri 2nd Dec 6pm Sat 3rd Dec 2pm & 6pm | Sun 4th Dec 1pm & 5pm TICKETS: Adult £15.00 | Child (under 16) £13.00 | Family (2 adults, 2 children) £48.00
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