We had tickets for Postmodern Jukebox at the Albert Hall and I could not wait. I've been following them on social media for a while and they tend to be my go to playlist when working from home. Amazing jazz playing in the background makes work a lot easier!
We're the kind that doesn't go to gigs when doors open, we tend to arrive when the opening band is finishing. Having checked the set times online ( I always do that, especially on the facebook event page by the venue), we knew PMJ were on at 8pm and we had just about time to go and grab something nice to eat (we've been on a diet, so nights out are a perfect excuse to indulge the senses). We headed to Albert's Schloss for some Bavarian tastes, but being next door to the venue, the wait was about 30 minutes and we couldn't spare that time so we headed off to Don Giovanni in Manchester's Oxford Street as we've previously been and truly enjoyed it - in our experience any Italian that lists Squid Ink Pasta deserves a visit. You can read our review here.
Then we made our way to the Albert Hall which is an amazing venue - built as a Methodist central hall in 1908, this now Grade II listed building, reopened in 2013 as a music venue maintaining the eclectic style with Baroque and Gothic elements. Great as the venue is, it's far from ideal if you're 5ft2 and never arrive early. Plus there is quite a draft from the stairs if you have to stay at the back... You've been warned!
If you've never heard on PMJ, you must fix that now! This rotating musical collective was founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011 and is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially swing and jazz. Subscribe to their YouTube account for weekly new videos.
Onto the concert... WOW, I still get butterflies in my stomach just remembering it. There were belters, glamour, tap dancing, laughs, sexy moves... it's definitely not a seating down kind of night. I love that PMJ is not afraid to be bold in song choices... who'd imagine Stacey’s Mom in a vintage Jazz style? Well, you’ve got it.
MC Cunio was nothing short of brilliant. Sassy, sexy and with one hell of a voice. Accompanied by Emma Hatton, Cristina Gatti, Jack Dani and Mario Jose, the band went from recent to oldie pop hits restyled in a jazzy beat with ease. And you know you're in for a treat when the show includes live tap dancing!
Everyone was, correctly so, raving about Jack Dani's version of Sia's Chandelier, but we all have our highlights and mine has to be Emma Hatton belting out Creep, reducing me to tears with her poignant rendition that went right through me.
The bad bit of the night? It ended. I would have stayed for another full set with pleasure. Also, what's with people attending a gig just to speak the whole freaking time? Wouldn't they be better off downloading the album or watching YouTube videos? Had the gig not been so outstanding, the talkative bunch could have really spoiled the experience.
Girly moment of the night? 😍 Exiting the venue, Cunio was taking pics with fans and I got one... can you see me swooning? 😍
