Band: Right Said Fred
Venue: O2 Academy, Islington, London
Date: 27th April 2011
Right Said Fred, a vision of camp, semi-nude, euro-pop, one (or two) hit wonderment. Back in their hay-day they were the leaders of cheesy pop club tunes and gay anthems, with fans who wore leather chaps, multicoloured silk shirts and mc hammer pants. However whether it was with pleasant surprise of perhaps a slight slouch of disappointment the venue was not filled with this, it was coursing with a diverse selection of society. Middle-aged women rubbed shoulders with youngsters, suited men and orientation confused genders of all ages. Some here to re-live the good old days, some to dance to the pop legends they had heard so much about.
Fred and Richard took to the stage, dressed in jeans and shirts although not as flamboyant as one might have hoped one can be assured Richard’s shirt was still of a flowery nature. They welcomed the crowd with gusto and excitement and still with every bit of campness available. They had grown up of course, but the night was filled with boyish and mischievous stories from their rein on the pop world and the room was in for a truly wonderful night of fun, humour and a rather mature remediation of all there best tunes played acoustically on the guitar, drums and keys. Both Fairbass brothers voice’s and sounds had matured along with the men themselves, they had evolved in exactly the right direction.
Due to a serious tooth complaint Richard opened with a highly promising line of “I’m on Tramadol!” before starting their set. The crowd nervously started to tap their feet and sway this way and that; unsure exactly what course this night would take. But by the next song along with encouraging persuasions from Richard the room came to life with people clapping and singing along. Everyone was in this together and the atmosphere only grew stronger with each song. Between songs Fred and Richard told stories and answered questions that had been emailed to them. It was often difficult to judge just how much to take seriously as the answer often involved copious amounts of strippers, drugs and on once incident an unwrapped Toblerone being inserted somewhere it most definitely shouldn’t be, re-wrapped and placed back into the hotel’s mini-bar! All in all the night was fun, a good laugh and of course worth it to here “I’m too sexy” sung live… although 92’s release was by far a better a better version.
Reviewer: Lois Honeywill
