This year Brisbane Festival presents Swing On This, a show to keep an eye on as four classy men charm you through an evening of classic swing songs. Starring in the Brisbane Festival show are the following talented: Michael Falzon, Luke Kennedy, Matt Lee and Ben Mingay. Not only does the performance feature a collection of songs with a modern twist, but there are plenty of entertaining moments from the four men that make the show lively and well worth a watch!
As the men strut their stuff, emerging into the arena that is The Courier-Mail Spiegeltent, I begin to anticipate what is next. This really is a show that features the energies of four very different and extraordinary talents. Kicking off with the classic Feeling Good, it’s hard not to sink your teeth into the jazzy sounds, the slick men on stage (all suited up) and the spectacle of the venue. With the live band backing up the boys, it’s hard not to bob in time with the music either. The stars of the show, playful as ever, were grooving around on stage very much like an Australian version of Jersey Boys.
Luke Kennedy started the show off with the first solo performance of the night and sang Have You Met Miss Jones. What a way to kick off the solo side of things with a beautiful rendition of a classic song. It was simply charming and ultimately just what was needed for the audience to get into the right mood for what was to come. The great part about Swing On This is that it was a wonderful cruise through a variety of songs that showcase the various talents of the boys. The genres featured throughout the night included smooth jazz, soul and a couple of ballads thrown in the mix as well as some (because why the hell not) good old Australian rock.
Taking the lead on stage next was Ben Mingay with Ain’t that a Kick in the Head. Mingay provides a lot of blokey energy to these songs, and this was particularly evident in Minnie the Moocher, which was a really great part of the show. This is the kind of energy that nicely combines with the other men on stage, and this makes the show unforgettable - the fusion between these four singers. Next on the stage to perform a solo was Michael Falzon with a smooth rendition of I’ve Got You Under My Skin. Potentially, the best part about Swing On This is each of the unique acts from the talent on stage as well as the combination when all four lads are ‘Jersey Boy-ing’ it up.
And last but not least the tap-dancing Matt Lee with Bojangles of course. Lee brings to the stage not only his tap-dancing skills but a wonderful voice to go with it. Simple but effective was his performance, and he upped it up a level with his insane tap-dancing skills in Rhythm Is My Business. But there’s nothing quite like the boys altogether, grooving and jiving along to the articulated sounds from the brass instruments behind them. From I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and That’s Life, tingles are guaranteed to run down your spine from sheer excitement from these renditions. For once you just get to sit back and enjoy the music.
7 - 11 September, 2019
The Courier Mail Spiegeltent, Brisbane Festival
Joanna Letic