"THE WORLD'S FAVOURITE TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE"
REVIEWS
21st Century
Viperfang
Viperfang
The largest crowds were to be found around the Tunnel stage, as always, opposite St Johns garden. Its a genuinely wonderful place to escape during the festival, to witness that heady cocktail of picnicking families, underage drinkers and sun dappled overweight husbands joining together in a sing-a-long of Rebel Rebel, performed by The Bowie Experience. The lead of which donned in a Union Jack Trench coat, really does have an uncanny semblance to the real David Bowie. Alarmingly so.
Seven Streets (newspaper) Mathew Street Festival, Liverpool.
..
It takes a special type of talent to get on stage and play tribute to any artist by performing their songs.To cover David Bowie songs as faithfully and with so much passion as shown by Laurence and the Bowiexperience last night takes the whole tribute band thing to another level. Bowies contribution to 20th century music is beyond comparison , he has transcended music genres, transformed musical trends and influenced bands and styles many of which are with us today.
The Bowiexperience captured all the best of Bowies styles to entertain a Saturday night crowd with an excellent set covering all the Ziggy songs, including the rarely played live John I'm Only Dancing, a true treat for the anoraks .The first half ran as a classic hour- Starman, Soul Love, Ziggy Diamond Dogs, Changes, Jean Genie and Rock & Roll Suicide. Moonage Daydream and Hang onto Yourself would have graced any encore , and yet after only 5 songs I had counted 5 show stoppers!!
The second half , again selected classical Bowie songs- we all know them, we all sung along- all were classics when released. Yet here was a dream set for Bowie fans- Young Americans, Fashion, Ashes to Ashes, Modern Love Heroes, Lets Dance, Cracked Actor (a personal favourite) - if only the man himself could select such a set list. As a self confessed Bowie nut the whole show was a blast. There were times during the show that you could have been at Hammersmith Odeon in July 1973 !
Dave and Alison Charles, Mr Kyps, Poole, Dorset.
To reproduce the sound of the original songs takes some doing but these guys did themselves proud with Mark in the role of lead guitarist Mick Ronson, Stuart on keyboards, Ollie on drums and one of the best lady bassists you'll see anywhere - Lydia. After opening with a not so well known number we were soon into hit after hit with the band getting stronger and tighter as the set progressed. You'd think 'Space Oddity' would be saved for the encore, but no, with Laurence strapping on his guitar and playing the opening chords it was time for us Major Toms in the audience to air our out of tune vocal
chords. On several songs Laurence also plays a bit of funky sax. Other great versions of 'Oh! You Pretty Things', 'The Jean Genie' and an excellent performance of 'China Girl' with Stuart on oriental keyboards. For the second half Laurence entered attired all in white complete with baggy trousers, and with a change of jackets through the second half of the set, the show just got better as the evening went on, with the members of the band really looking like they were having a great time as well as us. Again it's hard to remember all the material used as every song you seem to know but numbers that stood out were 'Starman', 'Heroes', 'Changes' and saved up for a well deserved encore was '5 Years', 'Let's Dance' and 'Rebel Rebel' that ended another entertaining evening from more than just a tribute band.
Mick Ward, Mr Kyps, Poole, Dorset.
Thursday nights are known to be a bit on the quiet side at Mr. Kyps, but not this Thursday for we have The Bowie Experience led by the talented Laurence as David Bowie perfoming the early 'golden years' of Ziggy Stardust and other character inventions. Another mixed audience of various ages greeted the band on to stage to show what a span of music has been produced by one of the most creative artists this country has had over the years.
We just wanted to say that we were blown away with the show last night, still not got over how brilliant it was and we will be spreading the word.
Would you express our thanks and appreciation to the rest of the band as they were all fantastic, we loved it so much that we want to see you again ASAP so can you let us know which gigs in the future will you be doing the same 2 set show.
Steve and Stella Roberts, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth
Just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic show at the Theatre on the steps on Saturday. It was so good to see you dressed in the Ziggy gear and doing all the songs from the album. Took me back to 72 when I saw David perform them(I don't think he did them all then). You did a really good job on "It Ain't Easy" which certainly isn't! You looked like you were loving it too.
You looked great in the high waisted trousers- not seen them before and what a surprise was "Afraid " from Reality. Not heard Reality for ages so we played it full blast in the car on the way home!
It was definitely worth the 2 hour drive each way to see you and the venue was lovely. Hope you go back there again.
Laura Thorpe, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth.
We just want to say a *BIG BIG* thank you for performing at what was a very memorable and enjoyable Mathew Street Music Festival. It was an absolute pleasure to have you on board for our 19th Festival! Attendance figures reached 320,000 over the two days and the feedback has been nothing but positive!
Kate Smith, Culture Liverpool.
Laurence my I congratulate you and your band when last at the Limelight. I have seen you there on two other occasions and you are really believable!!.
I have seen the man himself on many occasions including Toronto in Canada, Rotterdam in Holland, The old Wembley, Main road Manchester,Milton Kenyes and more recently at the Men arena Manchester. You come very close indeed. No wonder the man himself likes you!!
Mark Rofe, The Limelight, Crewe.
Laurence, resplendent in high heeled red boots and tight Lurex suit as Ziggy Stardust, gave a brilliant performance
As a lifelong Bowie fan I was quite dumbfounded by the uncanny likeness in vocals, speaking voice and movement. He was very, very good. The backing band were superb and the lead guitarist emulated Mick Ronson's sinewy ethereal guitar extremely well. They kicked off with blisteringly good songs from the Ziggy Stardust, Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory and Space Oddity albums, even tackling Moonage Daydream - brave, I thought, but Laurence had no trouble hitting the high notes whilst keeping true to the fragile brittleness of Bowies' voice. Later he changed into the famous Union flag jacket for the later phase of Bowies' career. The act is certainly capable of playing much larger venues. Speaking to Laurence later he said that he has portrayed Bowie at the Royal Albert Hall and that it helps if a tribute artist has an affinity with the person they portray."
Tracy Ramsbottom, The Western Gazette, The Old Barn Club.
..
I went to see your show at the Oxford Arms on Saturday and just want to say how enjoyable a night it was.
The lead singer was very convincing,the whole band were very good players, so I guess this is a great "tribute" to you guys!
Linden Cooke, The Oxford Arms, Newcastle under Lyme
Oh wow! Just when I think it can't get any better, you do this!! It was wonderful!! The costume, the set, the voice and the band - loved it all!!
Your voice was so good, right from the start. Five Years must be a difficult one to start with, but you were spot on, you are such a perfectionist,
Second half of the show was also brilliant. Good choice of songs and costumes. Loved the fact you finished in the Reality tour costume.
It was a major success. If you can still pull out new and surprising things for die-hards like us you are very clever. Our crowd all enjoyed it and the couple who hadn't seen you before are very keen to come with us next time.
Hope there will be a next time soon.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for a brilliant night!
Jill Crewe, Mr Kyps, Poole Dorset.
Seven Streets (newspaper) Mathew Street Festival, Liverpool.
..
It takes a special type of talent to get on stage and play tribute to any artist by performing their songs.To cover David Bowie songs as faithfully and with so much passion as shown by Laurence and the Bowiexperience last night takes the whole tribute band thing to another level. Bowies contribution to 20th century music is beyond comparison , he has transcended music genres, transformed musical trends and influenced bands and styles many of which are with us today.
The Bowiexperience captured all the best of Bowies styles to entertain a Saturday night crowd with an excellent set covering all the Ziggy songs, including the rarely played live John I'm Only Dancing, a true treat for the anoraks .The first half ran as a classic hour- Starman, Soul Love, Ziggy Diamond Dogs, Changes, Jean Genie and Rock & Roll Suicide. Moonage Daydream and Hang onto Yourself would have graced any encore , and yet after only 5 songs I had counted 5 show stoppers!!
The second half , again selected classical Bowie songs- we all know them, we all sung along- all were classics when released. Yet here was a dream set for Bowie fans- Young Americans, Fashion, Ashes to Ashes, Modern Love Heroes, Lets Dance, Cracked Actor (a personal favourite) - if only the man himself could select such a set list. As a self confessed Bowie nut the whole show was a blast. There were times during the show that you could have been at Hammersmith Odeon in July 1973 !
Dave and Alison Charles, Mr Kyps, Poole, Dorset.
To reproduce the sound of the original songs takes some doing but these guys did themselves proud with Mark in the role of lead guitarist Mick Ronson, Stuart on keyboards, Ollie on drums and one of the best lady bassists you'll see anywhere - Lydia. After opening with a not so well known number we were soon into hit after hit with the band getting stronger and tighter as the set progressed. You'd think 'Space Oddity' would be saved for the encore, but no, with Laurence strapping on his guitar and playing the opening chords it was time for us Major Toms in the audience to air our out of tune vocal
chords. On several songs Laurence also plays a bit of funky sax. Other great versions of 'Oh! You Pretty Things', 'The Jean Genie' and an excellent performance of 'China Girl' with Stuart on oriental keyboards. For the second half Laurence entered attired all in white complete with baggy trousers, and with a change of jackets through the second half of the set, the show just got better as the evening went on, with the members of the band really looking like they were having a great time as well as us. Again it's hard to remember all the material used as every song you seem to know but numbers that stood out were 'Starman', 'Heroes', 'Changes' and saved up for a well deserved encore was '5 Years', 'Let's Dance' and 'Rebel Rebel' that ended another entertaining evening from more than just a tribute band.
Mick Ward, Mr Kyps, Poole, Dorset.
Thursday nights are known to be a bit on the quiet side at Mr. Kyps, but not this Thursday for we have The Bowie Experience led by the talented Laurence as David Bowie perfoming the early 'golden years' of Ziggy Stardust and other character inventions. Another mixed audience of various ages greeted the band on to stage to show what a span of music has been produced by one of the most creative artists this country has had over the years.
We just wanted to say that we were blown away with the show last night, still not got over how brilliant it was and we will be spreading the word.
Would you express our thanks and appreciation to the rest of the band as they were all fantastic, we loved it so much that we want to see you again ASAP so can you let us know which gigs in the future will you be doing the same 2 set show.
Steve and Stella Roberts, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth
Just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic show at the Theatre on the steps on Saturday. It was so good to see you dressed in the Ziggy gear and doing all the songs from the album. Took me back to 72 when I saw David perform them(I don't think he did them all then). You did a really good job on "It Ain't Easy" which certainly isn't! You looked like you were loving it too.
You looked great in the high waisted trousers- not seen them before and what a surprise was "Afraid " from Reality. Not heard Reality for ages so we played it full blast in the car on the way home!
It was definitely worth the 2 hour drive each way to see you and the venue was lovely. Hope you go back there again.
Laura Thorpe, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth.
We just want to say a *BIG BIG* thank you for performing at what was a very memorable and enjoyable Mathew Street Music Festival. It was an absolute pleasure to have you on board for our 19th Festival! Attendance figures reached 320,000 over the two days and the feedback has been nothing but positive!
Kate Smith, Culture Liverpool.
Laurence my I congratulate you and your band when last at the Limelight. I have seen you there on two other occasions and you are really believable!!.
I have seen the man himself on many occasions including Toronto in Canada, Rotterdam in Holland, The old Wembley, Main road Manchester,Milton Kenyes and more recently at the Men arena Manchester. You come very close indeed. No wonder the man himself likes you!!
Mark Rofe, The Limelight, Crewe.
Laurence, resplendent in high heeled red boots and tight Lurex suit as Ziggy Stardust, gave a brilliant performance
As a lifelong Bowie fan I was quite dumbfounded by the uncanny likeness in vocals, speaking voice and movement. He was very, very good. The backing band were superb and the lead guitarist emulated Mick Ronson's sinewy ethereal guitar extremely well. They kicked off with blisteringly good songs from the Ziggy Stardust, Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory and Space Oddity albums, even tackling Moonage Daydream - brave, I thought, but Laurence had no trouble hitting the high notes whilst keeping true to the fragile brittleness of Bowies' voice. Later he changed into the famous Union flag jacket for the later phase of Bowies' career. The act is certainly capable of playing much larger venues. Speaking to Laurence later he said that he has portrayed Bowie at the Royal Albert Hall and that it helps if a tribute artist has an affinity with the person they portray."
Tracy Ramsbottom, The Western Gazette, The Old Barn Club.
..
I went to see your show at the Oxford Arms on Saturday and just want to say how enjoyable a night it was.
The lead singer was very convincing,the whole band were very good players, so I guess this is a great "tribute" to you guys!
Linden Cooke, The Oxford Arms, Newcastle under Lyme
Oh wow! Just when I think it can't get any better, you do this!! It was wonderful!! The costume, the set, the voice and the band - loved it all!!
Your voice was so good, right from the start. Five Years must be a difficult one to start with, but you were spot on, you are such a perfectionist,
Second half of the show was also brilliant. Good choice of songs and costumes. Loved the fact you finished in the Reality tour costume.
It was a major success. If you can still pull out new and surprising things for die-hards like us you are very clever. Our crowd all enjoyed it and the couple who hadn't seen you before are very keen to come with us next time.
Hope there will be a next time soon.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for a brilliant night!
Jill Crewe, Mr Kyps, Poole Dorset.
