A small audience is invited into the bedroom of one Sandy Nelson; a wooden panelled circular space, filled with modest musical instruments and huge talent and wit. Sandy proceeds to take us on a journey ridiculing the bland, mundane and downright rubbish of the popular music world. Musical satire has rarely been so good.
Under fire from Sandy tonight are Cornershop (how many times have I heard this song today? 45), Alanis Morissette (one hand in your wallet) and Oasis’ plagiarism of everyone from the Beatles to Scooby Doo. Highlights include the play on Travis’ lazy songwriting and a fantastic lounge version of Green Days’ Basket Case, in which various members of the audience realise the relevance of the lyrics.
He is further joined by his band, whose line up changes nightly, to rehearse for the evenings gig.
Tonight’s guest is a classical trumpeter, who, not content with being ridiculously good at one instrument, proceeds to play two at once. The guests then join him in the pub for the gig, with a pompous send up of Thank You For The Music.
Sandy Nelson isn’t on Top of the Pops, he doesn’t get to harass Cat on CD: UK and he doesn’t get royalties from Radio 1. He is, however, in possession of incredible talent, razor humour, and an enormous desire to interact with his adoring public. Anyone who’s ever screamed in disgust at Pop Idol simply must see this show. Twice.
5/5
Simon Ferguson
