Cell Block 69 - The Basement Party Stadium

 

Cell Block 69
The Basement Party Stadium
23 December 2022

Is there anything better than seeing the original artist doing the original hits?

Music in the 80s were all about fun and Cell Block 69 certainly know all about fun. But first a bit of background. Cell Block 69 are an 80s covers band. The thing that separates Cell Block 69 from other covers bands is the conceit they bring to the show. You enter an alternative universe when you go to a Cell Block 69 concert. The story is that they wrote all the songs and then they were brazenly stolen by the famous artists who made them (insert booming voice) “international number one hits”. 

Everyone in the band is called Corey or a variation of Corey. You’ve got Duanne Le Corey Micheals, Corey Sambori, Corey RoKK-SiXXXxxXXX, Corey Anne-Kennerly, Kori the Artist formerly known as Corey, Corey Baden Baden Baden Baden Powell, Corey Ography. Not only that, but the band have all the moves and all the costumes straight from the 80s. They’re pretty authentic.

It’s this schtick that brings the audience into the joke and into the show. The band had the audience in the palm of their hands from the first bar. Side note… it’s handy having a back catalogue of all killer, no filler hit songs. Anthemic hits like Girls on Film, Walk Like an Egyptian, Electric Blue. You name it they wrote it!

It’s quite something being in the audience and knowing all the songs and being able to sing along to every word. Not only that, but the whole audience knows every song. I think that’s really the key to this gig. The audience really lean into the 80s vibe with everyone dressing up in 80s gear. I’ve not seen so much neon and taffeta outside of a blue light disco!

So, is anything better than seeing the original artist doing the original hits?  This. This is better.