Concert Review Rave On Floral Hall New Brighton

 

Rave On brought fans of 1950’s and 1960’s popular music together to enjoy the talents of swing band, The Bluejays, an authentic 1950’s vintage rock and roll band.

The stage backdrop featured a montage of posters from the 1950's and 1960's and coloured spotlights featured throughout the performance. The posters and clothes worn by the band members conjured up the perfect amount of nostalgia for the audience who had lived through the era's and were remembering the featured songs with fondness, probably enjoying the music with partners, wives and husbands sitting beside them who they'd met in their youth when the songs were popular.

The band comprises five male band members and female vocalist, Amelia Rendell. For the first half the male band members were dressed in typical 1950’s jeans and shirts with turned-up collars and Amelia was dressed in black and white chequered capri pants and a bright red top with her hair styled à la 1950’s style. The male members of the band changed into suits for the second half with Amelia dressed in a black mini dress, white knee high boots and 1960’s bouffant style hair with a white hairband. 

The first half captured all the favourite hits of 1950’s pop culture from Elvis and Carl Perkins to Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everley Brothers and more obscure hits of Connie Francis and Brenda Lee. There was mention of UK’s favourites Billy Fury, Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard plus a skiffle section remembering Lonnie Donegan featuring the drummer playing a cardboard box, whilst the second half featured hits from the 1960’s from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Buddy Holly and Del Shannon to Lulu, Little Eva and Nancy Sinatra.

The band capture the feel of the 1950’s and 1960’s and their enthusiasm and love of the era’s music shines through their lively production.  It was a full house with plenty of audience interaction and fans on their feet dancing.

The band are currently on a UK tour with this show being at the only North West of England venue.

Further information about the band and tour dates/tickets may be found at https://thebluejays.co.uk/

Reviewer:  Anne Pritchard

On:  2^nd October 2026