They may have the charm of a boy band but The Magnets are certainly all men. Currently touring their show All This Time around the world, the guys have been good enough to once more grace fringe with their presence. At this point the Magnets are pretty much an a capella institution. Immensely talented and highly imaginative, the show is a non-stop party.
The six-member strong vocal act combines their musical talents to create fantastic harmonies and richly layered songs. Not to mention the incredible beatboxing. Very personable despite their sizeable venue, they manage to build a rapport with the crowd immediately, incorporating humour into the show and infecting the crowd with their enthusiasm.
High energy and high volume, The Magnets kicked of the show with ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’. Their set-list is varied and includes something to suit everyone. My personal highlight was a rendition of Dire Straits’ ‘Romeo and Juliet’ mixed with a little Madness. You might think that hearing a song changed almost beyond recognition would hinder the enjoyment, but with this arrangement that simply isn’t the case. As with all the songs The Magnets cover they manage to retain the spirit of the original but make it entirely new and entirely their own.
As well as their spectacular covers, we were lucky enough to hear two entirely original songs. If these are just a sample, I hope much more original material is on its way.
Between Glee and Pitch Perfect ,a capella seems to have become more well known in recent years. However, these examples don’t compare to seeing an act like The Magnets showcase their amazing talent live. The skill with which these guys perform is simply astounding.
