I think I was present for the very first Bigfoot showcase which, if memory serves, was staged in Crewe. I worked for The Stage newspaper back then and twenty years has gone by in the blink of an eye.
Meet and greet and the general welcome was copious and extravagant, as we have come to expect from the ravishingly gorgeous Erica Crompton and her gang. Dinosaurs, living statues, photo booth ball-pits, show-girls and a whole menagerie of animatronics and puppetry ensured attendees were pitched straight into a maelstrom of merriment fun and general interest as soon as everyone ventured through the doors.
Emmerdale actor Tom Lister, who is also a good singer and entertainer, was tasked with Compere duties and very fine he was too. To kick things off, it was ‘Chico Time’. This singer, who shot to stardom in X Factor, pops up on telly from time to time and here he was showing us how he struts his staff in a live situation. In fact, Chico never left the room all evening, schmoozing around hither and yon.
Jackie Deane is a fine soul singer and comes across as a genuine class act. Her set was truncated by a technical issue, but we saw more than enough to be suitably impressed by her great set on the night.
Kurtis Ray’s Hip Hop Show was a real highlight, due mainly to his skill and convincing delivery of some 90’s party bangers from the likes of Will Smith and House of Pain.
90’s Rewind is a five-band band, led by an outstanding female singer, who proved two things. Firstly, that she is a rather special vocal talent and secondly, that singers donning sun-glasses should not walk backwards on a stage. Her dramatic fall, over an on-stage monitor, was spectacular, but her recovery was impressive too.
K-Pop Superstars is the in-vogue streaming favourite of the Spotify & TikTok generation. Slick dance moves here from a stand-out tribute attraction.
Wild Nights is a three-piece live band, who play guitar drums and bass. The boys have only one singer, but the live feel of well-played segued party favourites set created a great buzz.
Sweet N’ Sour is a nice idea forging, as this act does, a blend of Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter tributes. Augmented by dancers and a sexy line in presentation, this is for the young and young at heart to party with.
Rhythm and Rouge forge an amalgam of Moulin Rouge and The Greatest Showman songs. This outstanding attraction makes for high-end genre tribute fare by creating bespoke shows with unlimited numbers of singers and dancers, when the request is made and the budget is on the flexible side.
I loved The Review the first time I saw them and now I love them even more! A three-piece commercial rock covers band with edge, would be the best way to describe this band. Three great musicians, three great singers and it is kind of like having three front men all in the same band. “Ricky Martin has never sounded so metal“ said the Compere, as the band finished off by Living La Vida Loca.
Teddy Swimz is billed as The Ultimate Teddy Swims tribute act. I thought I would not know much of the music, until I heard a couple of songs, which I knew both off by heart. A great vocal performance here too.
Some singers sashay on stage dressed to the nines and we just know, before they sing a note, that they will be terrific. Kerrie-Anne is a beautifully dressed and superbly presented artiste who will be accustomed to having a big band playing behind her. This lady sings with conviction and her compelling performance, featuring an enviable head and chest voice, truly caught my ear in the best possible fashion.
Closing out the first half, it was time to meet a true showbiz legend in Betty Legs Diamond. Along with two male dancers, Betty gave us a taste of drag genius, allied to the famed incredible high-kicks and of course by performing the splits to finish. A Royal Variety performer of course and showbusiness Royalty for sure.
After the break and some scrumptious food, it was time to meet a new Compere, in the shape of chirpy scouse singer and entertainer Tim Lucas. Arriving on stage on a pushbike, this young man reminded me greatly of the brilliant Ricky K, before he became a tribute. I even got in on the act as Mr Lucas stuck a microphone under my nose and I suddenly and unexpectedly became a backing singer.
I first saw The Pub Party – Last Orders a few years ago and thought that someone had come up with a great idea. Six burly blokes in a variety of high-vis gear overalls or football shirts, all sit around a pub bar. Suddenly they rise and pitch in with the boy-band hits, as they merrily clatter their pint pots in a ‘songs from the pubs’ style singalong. Great fun!
It was tough to know what to make of Munkee Mania. Dancers and acrobats, dressed as chimps and gorillas, performed to a pulsating soundtrack.
I have seen and enjoyed Whitney Houston tribute singer Taryn Charles before. I am far from being an avid telly watcher, so as a consequence, I have no idea what a ‘Golden Buzzer Singer’ is. Despite my lack of talent show knowledge, it is easy to discern that Ms Charles and her cleverly segued set was quite a hit.
Lunafall is a three-piece live band from the Midlands who pack many songs into their set, playing all with verve and excitement. This band is must for any party. These guys could start a party in an empty room!
Girls on Cue features two very glamorous and well-dressed female singer/dancers, who brought a taste of an Ibiza style party to Blackpool. There are many such acts up and down the land just now, which must be determined by the sheer demand.
You never know quite what to expect with Boomin. This amazing three-piece party band always deliver, but exactly what will they deliver? Is this a mash-up of segued tunes or something more carefully rehearsed? I suspect the latter to be true. In the final analysis it does not matter one jot. Boomin just has to be the best band of their type in the UK. Bar-None!
Kevon Bennett is a truly great soul singer and performer and here complete with his all-female singing and dancing troupe, this makes for high-end cabaret style party entertainment. This is a truly tremendous act.
Proving two things: 1/ The Hour was Late and 2/ perhaps I am not as clever as some people seem to think I am, The Drag Band came next. The name was a bit of a giveaway, as this great band are fronted by what at first glance, seemed to be a very tall female singer armed with a sweet feminine voice. After a brief chat with agency principal Erica Crompton, I managed to confirm that this stand-out singer and performer is a drag artiste of some repute.
Closing out a wonderfully entertaining showcase was The Spice Girls Experience. Plenty of girl-power sass and some nice choreography here too, which I’m sure is better in many ways than the originals. But hey, let’s accentuate the positive and simply conclude these five spicy ladies have all the prerequisite Zig-A-Zig Ah!
Bigfoot Events Showcase is always a blue-Riband event, but this year’s showcase was in my view, the best-ever. Carefully chosen acts and a breadth and span to the variety and sheer quality on offer. I also wanted to mention the beautiful member of Bigfoot staff by the name of Mia, who looked after me very well indeed.
If Carlsberg made showcases….etcetera-etcetera!
