There are worse ways to start a show than with free sweets, and no better way to end it than with a singalong.
One thing’s for sure, with Harry and Chris at the helm this planet is in safe hands.
The “comedy-rap-jazz boys” are back in town, and this time conquering the world isn't enough—they’re going universal. Harry Baker and Chris Read have taken it upon themselves to craft a performance piece to introduce aliens to humanity the only way they know how, through the power of song.
They didn’t make it in the US, but British audiences can certainly appreciate their brand of humour: sarcastic and apologetic. Harry’s combination of choppy rap and slam poetry is complemented perfectly by Chris’ soft piano chords and choir-boy vocals. Even their body movements are polar opposites—emphatic hand gestures vs. soulful swaying. What unites them is genuine affection and the ability to make each other laugh. You can easily imagine them as the jokers down the back of the classroom, egging each other on and getting in trouble for being cheeky. They’re constantly cracking each other up and the crowd loves it.
They break the invisible barrier between audience and performer before the third song, with a game designed to get people moving around while learning interesting facts about the two lads. One of them was a nude model, and one doesn’t know how bank holidays work—but I obviously can’t tell you any more than that. Their banter in between numbers is perfect for the setting; observations about the pros and cons of being a human, stories of their professional and personal successes (and failures), and a willingness to be the punchline of each other’s jokes.
The spoken word and melody format is a staple of modern pop, but Harry and Chris have taken it to a whole new level. Harry chooses his words with care, releasing them in a controlled, syncopated flow, as if they’ve all been trapped inside his head for years, clamouring to be free. Chris’ accompaniment is soothingly beautiful, giving off slightly Tim Minchin vibes, and his solo number about his new son showcased the kind of genuine emotion that you usually don’t get from a comedy show. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Harry & Chris: This One's for the Aliens is so unique—the performers don’t feel like they’re putting on an act, they’re just being themselves and happen to be on stage.
The audience-inspired freestyle rap brought everyone on side, their Eurovision song might actually ‘fix’ Brexit, and their tune to unite all humankind was surprisingly uplifting. By the end of the show, at the very least you’ll know which is one Harry and which is Chris. At the very most, you’ll be wearing a “We’ve All Been in a Womb” T-shirt and making preparations for the inevitable alien invasion. One thing’s for sure, with Harry and Chris at the helm this planet is in safe hands.
