It was like time-traveling straight back to 1984 when strolling into The Tivoli last Saturday (29 March).
The crowd was an absolute '80s fashion explosion – fluro headbands, glow in the dark bracelets, high hair, bandanas, acid-wash denim, a number of mullets with a few that look suspiciously real, spandex galore, and some shoulder pads you could land a 747 on; there was even a couple who had committed to representing Pac-man and Pinky the Ghost Respect!The vibe was already peaking as drinks flowed and punters settled into their dancing turf as vintage tunes from our childhoods blasted through the Tiv's speakers.
The first of six short sets given up for this 80s Mania show commences with the Chantoozies bringing the noise. Entering the stage with huge smiles and waves, they launch straight into 'Love The One You're With', and boom! Instant sing-along. This crowd needs no warm up.
Their harmonies are as tight as ever, Ally Fowler and Eve von Bibra looking like they just walked off a 'Rage' clip circa '87. They roll into 'Witch Queen', the crowd eating it up with hands in the air, people getting way into the spooky vibe, while many twirl on the spot casting their wanton spell on those about them.
Chantoozies - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Kiss 'n' Tell' brings a slick, sultry groove, but it's 'Wanna Be Up' that really sends punters into hyperdrive. Most of the crowd are belting it out like it's their job to be onstage – look out Chantoozies!
They then bring a little '70s to the night with their cover of one of my favourite songs of my preteen double-digit years. It's The Promises' 'Baby It's You', Fowler and Bibra proving it still slaps and they do too. Their sass, harmony and high energy leaves the Tiv with fully stoked '80s tragics screaming for more.
With little time to really chat about what we just witnessed, out walks a semi-stumbling Brian Mannix. He has a glass in one hand and is looking like he's just stepped out of a pub gig in '86 with a few too many under his belt. I see a glint in his eye and he's still got that cheeky grin.
As soon as he gets straight into 'Still Waiting', it's clear his entry was all for show. Cheeky rankster! He then struts and jumps around like he has pogo sticks his shins. 'It's A Shame' is next as Mannix continues to ooze that bratty rock 'tude and still wearing the rockstar threads to match.
Then it's 'Party', which is what everyone's been doing since they walked in. The floor is heaving with a good time and by the time 'Everybody Wants To Work' kicks off, the office workers in the crowd are yelling like they've just quit their day jobs.
Brian Mannix - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I didn't think we'd get it, but '50 Years' comes next as Mannix, who gives us a knowing smirk, tears into it. Another really short changeover – I guess that's how it can roll when you've got a solid set of musicians to share between six acts, which do I add are the bomb! Total beasts, tight, and as they'd say in the '80s, gnarly as, dude!
Next up, it's Scott Carne, who is all class. He dives into 'Bitter Desire' as the keys and bass pulse through the crowd who sway like extras in a John Hughes' flick. Gee I lost count of how many times I watched his films. Not sure how they'd rate with teens in 2025, but they were rad way back then.
Carne keeps the energy rolling with 'Something That You Said' and 'Say It', and even makes a point of getting up and personal with the fans. The opening bars of 'Current Stand' ring out and punters lose their minds. It's peak '80s nostalgia and Carne is lapping up the adoration he's invoking in the room.
Then it happens; 'Change In Mood', the entire joint singing loudly, and I wonder how Carne can hear himself. He steps back for a second, grinning like a legend, letting the crowd take over and soaking in the love. Total goosebumps moment.
Scott Carne - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Intermission has loads of chatter erupting, more drinks handed over the bar and peeps checking out more punters in '80s get-up that must have arrived during the first three acts. Now it's time for some UK swagger.
The Escape Club storms in with 'Who Do You Love?' then rocking us into 'Shake For The Sheik' that has the wooden floor absolutely bouncing. Hells yeah, the rock has arrived and they're delivering. 'Call It Poison' brings some dark, moody energy, and then it's time for the big one, 'Wild, Wild West'.
It's undeniable – the groove kicks in, and suddenly everyone is doing their best bad cowboy impersonations. The atmosphere transformed, the crowd is a chorus of cheers and claps, arms raised high as if to summon the spirit of the '80s; a few are doing their best two-step dance moves amid bursts of laughter.
That sure escalated into a full-blown sing-along similar to being at a joyous reunion of friends who had just discovered a shared appreciation for a bygone era. Slick Brit rock has stolen our '80s hearts. . . again. Oh yeah!
The Escape Club - image © Clea-marie Thorne
This I was not expecting. Actually I didn't know what to expect, but to steal from the lyrics of another '80s band, Was (Not Was): 'Boom, boom, shaka lacka boom boom!' Katrina Leskanich is up and really rocking a storm.
Her voice is still a total powerhouse and 'Rock 'n' Roll Girl' proves it. She backs this up with the very popular and well covered 'Liverpool' as fans scream for it. Katrina shares how she loves the next song and we feel privileged to hear the not so well known 'Honey Lamb', but I tell ya it's pumping big-stadium vibes and we're hooked.
She then absolutely crushes it with 'Do You Want Crying', and while we're singing along, the whole room knows what's coming next – 'Walking On Sunshine'. Sweet mercy, the joint explodes. Fans jumping like lunatics, arms in the air, big, dumb grins are everywhere around me, and I'm even wearing one.
It's sad to see Katrina and her guitar leave – the sets are so short, but oddly satisfying and yes, it's now the last on the long list; Wang Chung time.
Wasting not a second, they kick off with 'Fire In The Twilight' and straight away, the floor is shaking. 'Let's Go!' gets the bodies moving; even more so when their banger 'Dance Hall Days' comes through the speakers and out of the mouths of fans to vibrate the Tiv's old chandeliers.
Katrina - image © Clea-marie Thorne
However you know and I know, they're absolutely bringing it home with 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight'. It's full crank-to-eleven '80s party mode in the Tiv right now. People are belting out "everybody, have fun tonight!" then dropping their voices to chime in with a deeper resounding "everybody Wang Chung tonight!" over and over!
Who better to have this '80s fun with? It's sure been a long time coming, Wang Chung, decades! Well I thought that was the end, but no. They remain on the stage and the moving and haunting opening guitar notes of 'Purple Rain' ring out.
I get goosebumps and the place falls silent for half a minute before erupting with cheers as we witness every single act piling onto the stage to join in the finale magic. What a tribute to an '80s legend. I'm a little teary as I was a fanatical fan of the Purple One and his music back in the day. Still am truth be told.
Jack Hues and Steve Williams let it rip absolutely wailing on their guitars, channelling pure Prince energy. The whole room is arms up, swaying right to the very end. It's the perfect send-off. A massive sing-along. A massive moment. A massive night. People are hugging each other, sweaty, grinning like we really did hitch a ride in the DeLorean to experience a totally tubular party back in 1980-something.
Wang Chung - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Each act brought their own flavour of nostalgia, creating a night that was nothing short of a neon dream come true. Maybe we were together in an electric dream (wink, wink).
With the dance floor alive and everyone feeling fly, it's clear the '80s spirit is alive and kicking in BrisVegas, showing us those good vibes and unforgettable tunes will always have a place in our musical hearts.
If you're an open '80s fan, a closeted '80s fan or '80s curious, go satisfy that '80s itch at one of the next shows. It'll be radical. LOL!
More photos from the concert.
