The Midland Theater hosted an occasion Saturday night: a prom. It was a prom for anyone who could drag a date along or anyone who couldn't; for anyone who wanted to dress for the ersatz occasion or didn't; or just for anyone who wanted to see the English Beat perform in Kansas City for the third time in less than two years. The other attraction was the admission: free. Talk about a cheap date.
Above: Dave Wakeling of the English Beat, who can whistle and kick a beach ball at the same time.
The Beat isn't the band it used to be, but Dave Wakeling is still around, which makes this version more than authentic enough. And it still has a cache of peppy, irresistable ska/reggae/pop tunes to draw from. Saturday night, they did nearly all of the best-known and favoritesduring a brisk 85-minute set that had the nostalgic feel of a high-school graduation dance.
The official title of this event was "Afentra's Prom," and it was sponsored by radio station 96.5 the Buzz, Afentra being one of the station's week-day morning hosts. About 900 of her listeners showed up, many of them in some kind of formal wear and most in the mood to party and dance.
They got a solid set from the headliners that included "Rough Rider," "Tears of a Clown," "Hands Off ... She's Mine," "I Confess," "Twist and Crawl," "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Save It For Later," "Best Friend/Stand Down Margaret," "Mirror in the Bathroom" plus the General Public tune "Tenderness and their cover of the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There."
When he says "English," you say "Beat." Or "muffin," if you'd rather.
The Beat compose pop songs with strong melodies and dance riffs and rhythms, but they are also something of a jam-band -- one that keeps the instrumentals relatively short and interesting and resist the temptation to noodle a song into oblivion.
The mood of the room was embellished by the presence of several beach balls, which insinuated themselves into the show: Wakeling and his fellow futbollers showed off their kicks (and a few headers). "We should do this at every show," he said, only half-joking.
Toaster Antonee First Class kept the crowd perecolating, igniting a few chants ("I say English, you say Beat") and dancing like a fan throughout the set. They'd play right up until curfew, which was midnight and which arrived abruptly. After "Mirror," the lights went on, the band said its bye-byes and they were off, like a prom dress.
Iglu and Hartly: After a long set by local cover band the Zeros, this band from Californa via Colorado played a set that showed off its blend of hip-hop and pop-rock/-funk. The music, including their hit "In This City," is catchy, but the presentation is campy and overdone, in a Kid Rock meets the Scissor Sisters way.
| Timothy Finn, The Star
Another spirited show by Dave Wakeling and the English Beat. Their brand of 2-tone ska from the late seventies/early eighties still sounds great today. Thanks Dave for another skankin good time and being so gracious after the show. You are welcome back to KC anytime!
Posted by: G. | April 13, 2009 at 05:39 PM
This!
Posted by: Denny | April 14, 2009 at 09:36 AM