by
Rob Jones
After a successful Saturday slot at Glastonbury – the most renowned brothers in music arrived at The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff. Ladies and gents – this band of brethren may be minus their most famous member Michael but the other four siblings minus Randy are present. That means Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito – and, of course we are talking The Jacksons on their 50th anniversary tour.
The Welsh capital was set for a spectacle and this meant that some sensational, soulful, summer, Sunday sounds supersede. Superb! The material offered is gleaned from a variety of sources all connected to this famous family i.e. The Jacksons, The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson and the new solo album from Tito. There are an array of avenues travelled – and the boys carry it off without the deceased King of Pop in person. However, the screen to the rear of a nine piece band and a range of stage references remind us of the magnitude of Michael Jackson. Everyone would agree that the show had to honour the magic of the man who gave the world a Thriller or two among many other triumphs -especially as this weekend marked eight years since his demise.
However, even without the main man these guys can still put on a show and when you top and tail a gig with the band anthems – Can you feel It and a fifteen minute plus version of Shake your body Down (to the Ground) it is the highest of standards that are set via this duo of dancefloor deities. In among that breathtaking brace a medley of Jackson 5 hits brought the venue to fever pitch as those youthful ditties still resonate with an audience that were recreating their junior joys. The aisles were alive with dance machines and a capacity crowd revelled in an illustrious occasion. The upbeat pop excelled plus tender ballads smoldered and The Jacksons momentum is delivered via classics such as Blame it on the Boogie, Show you the way to Go, Enjoy Yourself and the encore of State of Shock (once recorded with Mick Jagger).
There is the obvious homage to Michael in the form of several tunes with Rock with You and Wanna be starting Somethin’ being to the fore. Tito airs his fresh fare but even though it was acceptable it was not nostalgia and that is what the punters craved. A short film brought the story of the early years to the screen and parental input in to this project gained approval from the gathered throng.
A full band have the chance to unleash their collective and individual skills – and, they aid the proceedings to make this a party that calls for calculated choreography from the stage and that energetic ethos spilled in to the public arena. Those fans did not care who was watching and what contortions they displayed – for this was a throw the shackles off, abandon all inhibitions, turn the clock back and then forward feast of entertainment. The band also praised a local lad who they had built up a bond with on their visit and there were tears shed as an emotional union displayed the love between artist and audience.
God bless The Jacksons for coming to the capital city of Wales and a big round of applause to all of those personnel present who confirmed that age does not have to be a barrier to bliss! Shake those bodies down to the ground and do not blame the boogie – feel it!!!
