I’ve been meaning to write this review all week but time seemed to slip away from me. Now with another concert looming, I figured it was time I carved out a moment to get my thoughts down because free time just wasn’t going to present itself. I consider myself a bit of an ‘80s pop tragic. It was the music of my youth, the songs I’d hear on early morning clip shows or the radio, at least until Dad came along and changed the channel. So even though I’d seen many of the acts before, I couldn’t resist a trip to Sydney for 80s Mania.
Cutting Crew kicked off proceedings with a tight set of pop-rock favourites. Lead singer Nick van Eade was on guitar this time, unlike last tour, and I think it restricted his performance a little. Last time I remember him falling to his knees overcome with emotion, as over-the-top as it was entertaining. I couldn’t fault the set, but it didn’t have that extra something. Although of course, “(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight” got a massive reaction.
Paul Young was trotted out next. Honestly, I’m not sure why he continues to earn a place at these kinds of events. While he’s written some of the best songs of the decade, they can’t make up for his vocal failings. Neither can his charisma, although he’s got that in spades too. We’re used to hearing these songs with such a pure voice and incredible vocal range, but he just doesn’t cut it. Thankfully his set was mercifully short. However, that did make his second song choice curious. I don’t claim to be his biggest fan, but I didn’t know it. Much bigger hits like “Love of the Common People” and “Senza Una Donna” were cut to make way for it. Why?
Wang Chung was the first act I hadn’t seen before, and the first time I felt like I hadn’t seen it all before. Strengthened by Cutting Crew’s Gareth Moulton, Nick Feldman took us through the band’s monster hits, “Let’s Go,” “Dance Hall Days,” “Everybody Have Fun Tonight.” As a Breakfast Club fan, I was a little disappointed “Fire in the Twilight” didn’t get a run, but I couldn’t be too critical. The set was one of the most fun of the night.
After a short intermission we were back with the always outstanding Go West. I still can’t understand why they insist on playing “Black and Gold” and “Sex on Fire,” but when delivering their original material there’s nothing to fault. The sound, the energy, the charm, and of course those songs. If you don’t get excited seeing these guys play “King of Wishful Thinking,” something is wrong.
I couldn’t help but be wowed by Taylor Dayne as she burst onto the stage, the final act on our nostalgic evening. At 55, she’s got the energy and body of a woman less than half her age. She didn’t seem to break sweat dancing around to her iconic cover of Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love.” And that voice was still as powerful as either. This lady can belt along with the best of them. High-energy hit after high-energy hit came and I lapped it all up. I found myself getting a little teary when she slowed things down for a cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a dedication to Prince and the other musicians we’ve lost before their time. It was a beautiful sentiment, but I found myself wishing Taylor showed a little more restraint and control. The same sadly went for “Love Will Lead You Back,” one of my favorite songs of the era. Taylor has an incredibly strong voice, but I found myself wishing for more tenderness. I’m not sure whether she doesn’t have the control any more or whether she’s just trying to keep up with the divas of the modern world.
It’s impossible to have a bad time at one of these shows. They’re a carefully curated slice of music nostalgia, with musicians we remember fondly delivering their biggest hits and a few surprises. However, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d seen it all before. With the exception of Wang Chung and Taylor Dayne, all the other acts were on last year’s ‘80s Mania bill. I couldn’t help comparing it to I Love the ‘90s, who put on such a fun night earlier this year and will return in 2018 with a totally different lineup that promises to be every bit as fun. The ‘80s were so rich in musical talent and so many of the acts are still playing shows today across the world. Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, The Time, Billy Ocean, Belinda Carlisle, and Roland Gift all immediately spring to mind. Don’t tell me some of them wouldn’t jump at the chance to visit Australia for the next ‘80s Mania. I can only hope organisers realise that while we love nostalgia, we get a bit bored of the same old thing.
Image source: Stephen Katulka
