Most people crave nostalgia. Anything that reminds them of their youth, particularly when it involves catchy disco music, brings back fond memories. So it wasn’t surprising that Boney M sold out three “Final Curtain Tour” shows at the Forum perfectly timed to fall within the Easter holiday period. Boney M were one of the most successful disco groups of their era, selling over 100 million records during their heyday.
The audience is clad in various forms of disco attire some involving gold and silver lame fabric.
A collage of old video footage of Boney M is shown on the screen at the back of the stage, inciting cheers from the throng.
As the band make their way on stage including original member singer and model Maizie Williams, the crowd lose their shit. The female vocalists are clad in eye catching gold outfits and the iPhone camera usage in the crowd is beyond belief.
Many are aware that German record producer Frank Farian created the disco pop group which saw Boney M lip synch to songs when they performed live, and Maizie didn’t sing on any of the studio recordings, but tonight Williams and two backing singers are singing with wild abandon. The remaining members are ; one male vocalist who stirs up the crowd with his flamboyant dance moves and between song banter. Flanked by two keyboardists, a guitarist, bassist and drummer, they recreate the disco sounds of the 70s that we all grew up with.
Most punters know that the set will be filled with popular hits, so they have their dancing shoes on.
“Sunny” ( Bobby Hebburn cover) sees the crowd singing along and dancing. The energy at The Forum is palpable and there is a sense of camaraderie in the crowd. Next is “Daddy Cool” and by the time “Hooray! Hooray! It’s a Holi- Holiday” comes on, the dance moves intensify, and the atmosphere is one of love for one’s fellow punter and the music of Boney M.
Half way through the set there’s a costume change for the female singers, to silver jumpsuits, providing a pleasing visual element to the show. The crowd are having a great time dancing and singing, with “Rasputin” and “Rivers of Babylon” drawing the loudest sing alongs.
The encore is fittingly “Gotta go Home” inciting one last dance- a-thon en masse.
Boney M put on a thoroughly entertaining, nostalgia – driven show, that saw multitudes of fans of all ages dance and sing continuously until the finale.
SETLIST
Sunny(Bobby Hebb cover)
Daddy Cool
Hooray ! Hooray ! It’s a Holi- Holiday
Belfast ( Gilla cover)
Ma Baker
Malika
No Woman, No Cry ( Bob Marley and the Wailers cover)
Do you Wanna Bump?
Brown Girl in the Ring ( Lord Invader cover)
Bahama Mama
Rasputin
Rivers of Babylon ( The Melodians)
Encore
Gotta Go Home