Thriller Live! The record breaking concert now in its 8th year is currently in Bournemouth as part of its UK Tour bringing with it a 2 hour extravaganza of energy, dance and a string of classic Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson hits covering nearly five decades.
This is a show worthy of many concerts, it is not a show in the sense of a musical with narration and music, but is a full on concert starting from the early ears of The Jackson Five before later on reaching the music many are probably there to hear, with hits from two of the best albums of all time, Thriller (1982) and then the equally excellent album that followed later; Bad (1987).
The singing, sound, lighting effects but particularly the choreography are excellent, with a team of back-up dancers who somehow keep dancing non-stop for two hours and still end the show smiling. Okay, at times late in the first half they did look more at place in Malcolm McLaren’s “Double Dutch” but from that era (1983) much of the dance was of a similar vein.
You will be treated to all the hits you expect including: I Want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It, Off The Wall, The Way You Make Me Feel, Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Dirty Diana, Bad, Rock With You, They Don’t Care About Us, Dangerous, Thriller and many more in this feast of music brilliance in tribute to the King of Pop.
The show is great but I couldn’t help wondering: why are the musicians hidden from view? I suspect it is due to the energy of the dancers needing the space but for me it felt a great shame. The band were fantastic.
Thriller Live is a must for any Michael Jackson fan or for many of the younger audience who have heard about this incredible performer but regrettably will never get the chance to see him live.
The UK tour continues with stops at nearby Southampton Mayflower with the show moving to Torquay, Brighton and Milton Keynes before it ends at Southampton Mayflower with a 5 day stint from 18 – 23 July 2016.
More news on the THRILLER LIVE! tour can be found here:
Our Verdict
Energetic and a defo for the Jacko fans. Lovers of the 80's pop scene will also love the costumes and music.
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