Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Absolute Bowie (Scroll down for video)
Absolute Bowie returned to Brighton as promised for a December show. This finely crafted show/experience beamed down into Concorde 2 on Saturday 22 December. Winners of the ‘Best Bowie Tribute’ and ‘Best Tribute Band in the UK’ at the Agents Association of Great Britain Awards July 2018. Absolute Bowie are constantly touring and presenting their always evolving stage show, a musical journey through the iconic singer’s ever changing personas. This show was promised to feature all of Bowie’s greatest hits and a revamped set list.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Sadly I never got to see David Bowie live and the opportunity to do that will now never come. I fell heavily for what these guys do when I first saw them play in Brighton and so the opportunity to see them again on my doorstep at Concorde 2 was not going to be missed! I am now, dear reader a regular! A chance to see John and his band giving me, or indeed anyone, an excuse to boogie to some great Bowie tunes is now an event I would not want to miss.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
I had again a chance to meet up with some of the Absolute Bowie fans. One group in particular included a young lady who had just lost her Mum. Her Mum had been a Bowie/Absolute Bowie fan and they had come with her Dad and her Mums best friend to join in and celebrate her Mums live with the music she loved. Again a few fans came over and said hello, which was kinda cool! Some had travelled miles, to see the man perform, and some who never miss a show when he plays down south. There were also some who did not know what to expect never seeing Absolute Bowie, including a photographer friend who joined me in the pit.
I have said it before but you have to be brave to be a Bowie tribute act. Bowie was loved by so many and was scrutinised and adored around the world. You have to have the belief and confidence and talent to pull it off. John as Absolute Bowie has all of those qualities and so much more. It is pretty much Bowie perfection and I guess that anything incorrect would be picked up on.
ABSOLUTE BOWIE: THE BAND
There was a new guy on the block on guitars, Andy Marr. He delivered some belting razor sharp guitar work.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Andy Marr – guitar as Mick Ronson
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Fabio Cascio – Trevor Bolder | Bass + vocals
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Alex Face – Woody Woodmansey | Drums
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
ABSOLUTE BOWIE: THE SET. Part 1.
The early years…
The first segment was masterfully constructed from some of Bowies early career defining albums. Tracks from Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Hunky Dory, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs and the song Bowie gave to Mott The Hoople.
The intro to Diamond Dogs welcomed the band to the stage, and it was lift off for Major Tom, Diamond Dogs, The Man Who Sold The World, Changes, Panic In Detroit, Moonage Daydream, Ziggy Stardust, Suffragette City, The Jean Genie, Queen Bitch, All The Young Dudes, Starman, and Life on Mars? The set had two favourites for me tonight Queen Bitch as John grabbed his twelve string and delivered a quite frankly superb version. And the audience participation for All The Young Dudes. The whole first section was fabulous and “Bowie” encouraged everyone to join in, and we did! Starman and Life On Mars? gave everyone the opportunity to sing their hearts out.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
ABSOLUTE BOWIE: THE SET. Part 2.
Its always interesting to see what Absolute Bowie have planned. We saw four costume changes tonight from John and his band returned for the second session minus the Spiders look. John and the band played for almost 2 hours tonight. Bang for buck Absolute Bowie are way ahead of the game! Superb value and entertainment.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Part two covered some of Bowies later material from albums such as Young Americans, Station To Station, Scary Monsters, Lets Dance and a track from Diamond Dogs – Station To Station, Fame, Young Americans, China Girl, Ashes To Ashes, Modern Love, Let’s Dance, and ending with Rebel Rebel.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
Station to Station was a new addition and sounded great and gave the crowd, many of whom have seen the band many times, a new one to enjoy. So set two was underway, “do you remember your president Nixon” as Young Americans got the set well underway. Then Modern Love, with Andy perfectly replicating the opening chords and sounds of the song. Johns voice cracks perfectly as Bowies did in the original classic. Absolute Bowie is absolutely fabulous.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
ENCORE!
David Bowie, well there will only ever be one. He was definitely unique and an inspiration to musicians and millions of fans around the world.The encore tonight served up two songs that did just that. First up was the awesome Space Oddity. The smoke and blistering white pin spots blasting out into the crowd with the mirror ball bouncing dots of light of the crowd and venue as we all joined in with the chorus. The last song tonight was a rousing version of Heroes. Absolute Bowie, led by the charismatic John O’neill proved beyond doubt that they can and will continue to celebrate the life and music of Bowie. They put on a spectacular show tonight and with the added bonus of a video wall bring the sound and vision together.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
A VIDEO!
Turn it up as Absolute Bowie nail a live version of Queen Bitch.
And finally…
We got some real life romance on stage. Alex Paolillo grabbed a mic from somewhere and called for his girlfriend. I am guessing the band knew what was coming but I don’t think Jane had a clue as she walked out onto the stage. Alex dropped to one knee and proposed to his girlfriend. Thankfully she said “yes” and the couple got a huge cheer from the crowd. Congrats to you guys from all at Scene Sussex.
Absolute Bowie – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex.
An Absolute Bowie show is always fuelled with excitement, great music and a top performance, but goodness, that’s quite a way to end a show to a sell out crowd in Concorde 2. I had a chance to catch up with the guys after the show and they had had a blast tonight. I had a chance to compliment Andy on his guitar work especially on Rebel Rebel. It was so sharp he could have cut glass. And of course the guys were buzzing after the proposal. Well played Absolute Bowie, we cannot wait to see you back in Brighton.
More from Absolute Bowie can be found here on Facebook
And as promised to the family who had recently lost their Mum a photo. Hope you enjoyed the gig x
Black Rabbit Productions hosted the evening. They work hard promoting live music on the south coast. They are a promotion company with years of experience putting on music shows. Tonight was superb. They have some great gigs lined up and a promise of Absolute Bowie – back in Brighton soon! You can find Black Rabbit Productions on the WWW
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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