04 July 2015 (gig)
04 July 2015
For a short time in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a band of men sent women around the Western world into a strange kind of hysteria. If you never experienced what it was like to attend The Chippendales, then this appearance by The Overtones might have given you a taster. With temperatures already above 25 Celcius across the capital, things were in danger of overheating inside this historic venue, and that was before The Overtones had even arrived on stage. Such was the excitement, some females in the audience were warned about the correct etiquette.
Thankfully things were kept under control, just, until the boys arrived with a smooth marching opening sequence - and then lift off. Then for the next hour or more this London crowd were on their feet, dancing and singing away to classics from the 1950s and 60s. Quite where this love has come from for The Overtones is unclear. They failed on the X Factor before being discovered singing The Longest Time by Billy Joel while working as painters and decorators in Oxford Street. Since then they have had top ten albums and appearances on prime time TV. Now for the first time, they are headlining at London's Palladium.
During the show they admit to being overwhelmed at performing in such a historic venue. This is obviously a big deal for the band, but listing themselves in the same sentence as The Temptations and Franki Valli felt like over-playing their musical legacy somewhat. Their appeal isn't actually that surprising though. Classic hits, sung well, with classy choreography (they do love what some might call 'the deck of cards' move) and good looks is always a winning formula - especially done as well as this.
They are at their best going full pelt on the likes of Sweet Soul Music, Give Me Just A Little More Time or on a cracking rendition of I Heard It Through The Grapevine. There's variety in the gentle sway of Under The Boardwalk, with just keyboard backing, while they go acapella for a peculiar singalong the audience loves of Bare Neccesities. When a group of female audience members are brought on stage, things look like they're going terribly wrong, as the band sing away with their backs to their stage guests. It seems the age profile has not been well represented by this 'random' choice, only for it to be revealed, that these are the boys' mums.
It is another healthy lump of cheese on an evening that would serve up well after some fine dining, but it works. Some of their lines while chatting to the crowd are as obvious as their suit changes but it's all done with sincerity. The Overtones have worked hard to get here and are not going to let it go easily or fail to enjoy it while it lasts. Without doubt the songs make them. But even their own material stands up well, with the infectious Gambling Man one of the best tunes of the evening. Fantastic fun and a great way to spend a Friday evening - and thankfully, unlike The Chippendales, all their clothes stayed on.
