SexyTadgh
The set wasn’t long, but it was gorgeous, and I left desperate for the next chance to experience them again.
Unbelievably, for a Norwich resident who loves the arts, I had never seen anything in the Spiegeltent. I had tried to twice before, but events conspired to keep me away. I have however enjoyed sitting in the outside bar areas, and it was a joy to be back there with a drink, snuggling in a deep armchair while listening to the chatter around me as upbeat tunes thumped from the speakers.
When the ever-predictable English queue started by the doors of the Spiegeltent, I was up and ready. I found myself inside early enough to grab one of the booths along the sides, wanting somewhere to plonk my things and sit. I was very aware that I was here to see the Irish singer SexyTadhg and would probably end up dancing the night away.
Almost exactly at 9.30pm, the lights dimmed and suddenly a surly, fabulous figure entered the stage in pink feathers and gorgeous fishnet tights - and I will say now that the word “gorgeous” will be used more than once in this review.
The audience immediately became alert. Booths emptied as people moved with purpose towards the dance floor and, without much introduction, Tadhg Griffin’s deep, lyrical voice boomed through the tent with a thrilling, acoustic and intense rendition of an Irish folk song. Whilst I didn’t understand the lyrics, I drifted along with the melodies and the richness of Tadhg’s voice made me feel what the song was about.
Tadhg followed this with a ballad at the piano, giving me strong young Elton John vibes, before the band joined in on the next number and, by this point, I was already standing and jigging around.
By the fourth song, I had abandoned the booth entirely and was on the dance floor. As the arousing pop-disco-Queen-esque songs really got going, I found myself in the middle of the crowd trying to throw out some moves.
SexyTadhg is sexy, full of drama, and works the stage like the master performer they so obviously are. They are a magnificent singer. Forgive me for saying this, but at times I found myself thinking that this might have been what it felt like watching a young Elton John or Freddie Mercury in a small, intimate venue before the arenas happened.
I only make those comparisons because the sounds evoked all that is good in those artists for me - with the energy and showmanship on display, I could imagine Tadhg and the band filling arenas themselves.
Where it differed though, was in the lyrics. “My Parade” highlighted exactly what Tadhg stands for, and it was genuinely uplifting to hear a celebration of love and acceptance that truly meant everyone and proving that politics and disco pop make a fantastic partnership.
The music and performance conjured Elton John, Queen and even The Rocky Horror Show, ending with a glorious cover of “I Feel Love”. I felt like I was experiencing the 80s and yet it still felt fresh - unmistakably their own voice.
The set wasn’t long, but it was gorgeous, and I left desperate for the next chance to experience them again.
And the Spiegeltent was fun too.
They are touring the UK in October.
