Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) brought its signature vintage flair to a sold-out Adelaide Festival Theatre as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, delivering a one-night-only performance that transported audiences across eras. Adelaide marked the second stop on the Australian leg of its worldwide The Future is Vintage tour, following Perth, with further shows to come across the country.
MC Rogello Douglas Jr opened the concert with a Latino-feel Hotel California, with its Afro-Cuban percussion and sultry arrangement transporting us to Old Havana. A man of many skills, he didn’t just sing and MC, but also beatboxed in Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive and got the audience to their feet for U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (joking that seated audiences trigger his social anxiety, so he was keen to get us on our feet).
The three singers touring with PMJ are Tatum Langley, Jackie Mac and Katerina Lomis. Tatum Langley has been part of PMJ for three years and is the peroxide blonde bombshell with the sultry voice. She stunned in every performance, performing The Weeknd’s Die For You (007 theme) with a beautiful, impassioned voice; Barry Manilow’s Copacabana was bright and cheery, and made us feel like sipping a cocktail poolside.
Jackie Mac, fresh from Las Vegas and Cirque du Soleil’s Mad Apple, sang The Police’s Every Breath You Take and this slowed down take had us transfixed for every word. Mac’s performance of ABBA’s Thank You For The Music was really fun, and unrecognisable from the original apart from the lyrics.
Katerina Lomis, the tour’s newcomer, is a 24-year-old Miami artist who has transitioned from cancer research. Her rendition of Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand was a highlight of the night, a sexy transformation of the famed song. Lomis is one to watch.
Even before the PMJ concert started at Adelaide Festival Theatre Sunday night, we travelled back to the 1920s, 50s and 60s simply walking through the foyer. There were so many beautifully dressed people in vintage dresses, whether it be the sequined and tasselled 1920s style flapper dresses, or the 1960s mod shift mini dress paired with knee high boots. One of the many things that we love about Adeliade Cabaret Festival is that audiences relish the chance to dress up and show off their sequins, velvets, and silks and with this show audiences also made a big effort to go with the theme.
Seeing Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox live is not just a live music gig; there is plenty to look at too. Every time the singers come on stage, they look completely different from their previous appearance, with a complete costume change and even different hair and makeup. PMJ cleverly fills in the time needed for these transformations with tap dance performances by Demi Remi, who entertains whether it be tap dancing her heart out or during the sci-fi themed dance which saw her go from jumping levels like the Mario Bros to Star Wars lightsabers. She isn’t just interlude entertainment though, she is entertaining in her own right and gets to embody the famed showgirl Lola when Tatum Langley sang Copacabana.
These costume changes also give PMJ the opportunity to put the spotlight on their band members, such as drummer Willie Jay Moore Jr, who sings Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun, all while still playing the drums. His voice is both strong and soothing at once. He’s been singing since he was a child, having been signed with his then group Baby Gangstas at the age of 12!
Back to those transformations, and the costumes. No detail is spared in the costumes worn by the singers throughout the night whether it be beaded and sequined art deco dresses or slinky little leopard print numbers. Their luggage allowance must be mostly taken up by these heavy gowns!
While Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox may have found its people through the internet age and YouTube clips, PMJ’s strength lies in its meticulous arrangements and musicianship—elements that no algorithm or recording can replicate in a live setting. If the enthusiastic crowd that filled the Adelaide Festival Centre is anything to go by, PMJ will continue filling venues across the country. With the Australian tour only just underway, we strongly encourage you to see them and experience their vibrant, vintage reimagining of modern music live.
5 CROISSANTS
Matilda Marseillaise was a guest of TEG Dainty
Discover all of the tour dates and ticketing links on the Dainty website here
