Sometimes with Fringe World shows you stubble across something which is just strange, odd and bizarrely fabulous. ‘Some Like it Yacht’ s one of those shows.
It’s concept is simple, it’s an unashamed embrace of yacht rock. A musical sub-genre that hows a love for largely mainstream (largely California) pop tunes from the late ’70s.
Hosted by the powerhouse that is Famous Sharron with the Western Australian’s Music editor Simon Collins as her sidekick. This show was full of tunes from Sade, Toto, E.L.O. and other staples of AM radio. Collins was a perfect companion for comedian/perthonality Famous Sharron, a Captain to her Toni Tennille.
A killer band made up of some of Perth’s best local musicians pumped out the classics, Famous Sharron brought the dance moves and the crowd got involved in one of the most hilarious audience participation exercises we’ve seen in recent times.
Guest vocalists change each night, we were treated to Jodie Tess, who crossed over from jazz to yacht rock for the evening. Tess delivered a funky version of Andrew Gold’s 70’s tune ‘Lonely Boy’ before delving into the world of Sade.
Timothy Nelson joined the band and got the crowd on their feet for a slamming rendition of E.L.O’s ‘Evil Woman’ before leaping into Hall and Oates ‘Rich Girl’. The hipster singer busted out the dance moves in his skinny jeans and shed all indie credibility in the name of a really good time.
This show was a lot of fun, don;t take it seriously, just get up and dance. Later on head out for a drink in the Urban Orchard and argue with your mates about what ‘is’ and ‘is not’ yacht rock.
Some Like it Yacht is playing at the Da Parel Speigeltent in the Urban Orchard as part of Fringe World. Tickets are available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night shows.
Graeme Watson
