Review Centre: Party Bands

"Absolute Mayhem The Horse & Chains, Bushey on Saturday 30 September 2023 It's a rare thing to go into a local pub and hear a keyboard player who has been described as a musical "genius" by none other than David Bowie. This is no tall story either. The musician Billy Ritchie was the first player in rock music to give keyboards a prominent role -- and that was before Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman came on the scene. Billy told me that he remained good friends with the Thin White Duke until his death in 2016. Lanark-born Mr Ritchie now provides the skilful and fancy keyboards and records backing tracks for his latest incarnation Mayhem with talented female singer Carol Leslie. Carol is a really strong vocalist with a gutsy style. This dynamic duo started their first set at the cosy Sebright Arms with Elvis's late sixties' classic Suspicious Minds. The second song was a surprise -- Kirsty MacColl's comedy number There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears His Elvis. It was a perfect choice after the first song. Carol and Billy select their material wisely and give their audience something very different from the predictable Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl and I Saw Her Standing There, churned out by so many pub bands. So it was great to hear Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey's electro smash Together In Electric Dreams, Matchbox's catchy rocker Rockabilly Rebel, Starship's uplifting We Built This City (on which Billy demonstrated his keyboard dexterity) and Solomon Burke's gospel-ish Cry To Me. And that was just the first half. Carol is happy to tackle songs usually associated with male vocalists and she started part two with a raucous version of Bryan Adams' rocker Summer Of 69. If you have never seen Mayhem, ask Billy to perform Light My Fire, the Doors rock classic from 1967. This was a sheer musical masterclass as he re-created both vocally and instrumentally this great song. Billy has a rich, tuneful voice and this was a stunning performance. Other highlights in the second half included Journey's rock anthem Don't Stop Believing, Carol's gritty interpretation if Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman and a fine performance of Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer A total of 24 songs and I cannot wait to see this duo again. My only concern is their name. I think many club and pubgoers might think Mayhem are a heavy metal band rather than an all-round, top class duo. COLIN FENN, DJ, Freelance Journalist Colin Fenn, DJ - Freelance Journalist, Thursday 5 October 2023"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for the great performance at our wedding, I would highly recommend southwest to anyone. Even a few friends who I've never seen step on a dance floor before got up and enjoyed themselves. Plus thank you for performing our first dance, it's always better live. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It Takes 2 were wonderful at our wedding. We and all our guests really enjoyed their performance. Both are very talented and they were so accommodating with our music choices. We would highly recommend them for your wedding, or any type of celebration. Thank you Kelly & Graham! "

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"Thanks for a fantastic night! Everyone loved the music. The set list was the perfect balance between classic rock and indie anthems. There was something for everyone. Fan favourites being Van Halen, Billy Idol, and Motörhead. Even got both our mums up on the dance floor! The organisation and communication was perfect and we will definitely be recommending you to friends and family. You guys were the icing on the cake to a perfect day!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just a quick note to say a massive thank you to you and the band for last Friday. Your music brought the mood and atmosphere together and certainly helped in creating the feel-good factor at our wedding. You guys really were great and I think will likely have a few contacts from our guests in the future to play at their events! Thanks again. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked these guys for our wedding. The set list was great and they got the party going. They also leant 2 songs that were special to us, but weren’t part of their repertoire. We can’t thank them enough for their part in our special day!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Perfect performers for any wedding! Outstanding performance both during the ceremony and in the evening. They went the extra mile learning our favourite song which was not well know and tailored it into an extremely personal rendition. Not only did they fill the day with happy music, they blew us away during the evening with their livelier covers. Punctual, smartly dressed and experts in music equipment leaving us reassured that nothing would go wrong with the equipment during the speeches."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great tunes "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely brilliant really enjoyed the music at my aunt and uncles vow renewal. The charismatic band were engaging with the audience so much more than just live music... Highly recommended."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I would definitely recommend They Got The Party to anyone who wants a busy dance floor! They played at our wedding and everyone commented on how great the music was and the fantastic atmosphere. We also requested some of our favourite songs, which they learnt and played on the night - great memories! Thanks again..."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Matt, ... We had a great day and all our guests thought you guys were great. Best regards, Peter and Silvania."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We chose southwest band because they where a brilliant array of collective music choices and we especially loved the rock music choices. They had presence and the front man was brilliant at getting everyone up on the dance floor and getting the crowd going. They were brilliant just wish we could get married again so we could have them again at our wedding but we shall have to go and see them instead. Thank you from Rachel and David Burridge x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Top Madness Tribute performed over and above our expectations. They were very flexible with times and were quite happy to perform slightly longer than agreed. The likeness to Madness was uncanny. They made our event a night to remember."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ben and Vicki played at our village fete on Saturday. They were fantastic! They are both such good singers and performed a variety of songs throughout the ages. They entertained adults and children for a number of hours and are great performers. In addition they are two of the nicest people you could wish to meet, flexible and nothing is too much trouble. I wouldn't hesitate to have them back and highly recommend to anyone organising a wedding or community event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What can I say the stereobeats are amazing ! We heard them 4 years ago at another wedding and we fell in love with them. They were awesome back then and have only got better since. We used the stereobeats for our wedding recently for the daytime entertainment and again for the evening invite. The ceilidh was great and they explained the steps well as we had people who had never been to a Scottish wedding and danced a ceilidh and they loved it. Everyone in the band were great, a great combination of songs and the dancefloor was always busy. Everyone at the wedding commented on how great they were. They had no issues with playing our first dance and father daughter dance, They really are the best band around, I highly recommend them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: