The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at St Georges Minster, Doncaster, 29th March
Tonight the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, most famous for their appearances on Later… And Never Mind the Buzzcocks appear to have attracted a surprising classical crowd. As the swarm flocks inside the continually cold St Georges Minster (ironic considering this is part of the Hothouse Festival) it looks similar to a Sunday morning service than a concert, however effort is made to ensure the Church is acceptably presented. There is a large screen erected above the stage, which mainly distracts from the movements onstage yet provides the audience with the well known zoom for the exact movements of each of the eight ukulele players tonight.
The reason for the surprise attendance of classical lovers is of course because despite the name, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are one of the least traditional groups around. A little like Hayseed Dixie the band relive classic rock songs, translating them into ukulele alternatives, but soon after the band take to the stage it becomes apparent that this is only a small part the group play onstage. They are also hugely witty, as they tell a rather twisted path of historic ukulele events while managing to create some of the best covers around. From ‘Shaft’ to ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ the band also, for the more acute hearing in the crowd, manage to change some of the lyrics to ukulele related issues while they sing, but for many reasons the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain prove themselves to be more than a gimmick.
The eight piece group all play their instruments with a driven passion for the music played, with many members sharing in jokes as they smile to each other across the stage. Also as the bass ukulele player comments “This is a folk song” before launching into ‘Anarchy in the UK’ they clearly care greatly for the songs covered. ‘Miss Dynamitee’ comes with its own built in comedy as the men in the group provide ridiculously low vocals along with the sweet female vocals. During ‘Life On Mars’ excerpts of ‘My Way’ is blended with half of the group singing two different songs, yet it strangely works with the soft sounds of the ukulele bringing a sensitive side to all songs.
But as you watch there is a feeling tonight’s covers may be lost on the audience. Ending on Chic’s ‘Le Freak’ few audience members seem prepared to let go and show the slightest movement as the group let rip on the stage. However the group do appear to have swayed some of the biggest musical snobs in Doncaster as murmurs of “Well that was something a bit different” and “I quite enjoyed that” rise above the loud applause proving that it is impossible to place the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain in any category, and they couldn’t be further from a novelty act- unlike Hayseed Dixie.
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