Only Olly
James Hutchinson
Big Top Showbar
Ingoldmells
Friday 28 October 2022
In a first for Review Culture we ventured out to Ingoldmells having been invited to review the Olly Murs tribute show Only Olly. featuring James Hutchinson. A lifelong performer, James has been perfoming his tribute to Olly since 2012, and after ten years he is still showing no signs of losing any energy - as this show attests.
This is a high-octane romp through Olly's hits that have been present in the charts since he first emerged on The X Factor in 2010. Auditioning in 2009 by singing Stevie Wonder's Superstition, Simon Cowell said "It was the easiest 'YES' I've ever given". Murs is a natural showman and a born entertainer. His charm oozes from his "cheeky chappie" persona but has stood the test of time unlike many of his contemporaries from the reality show. He branched out into presenting and became a judge on The Voice at one point. He remains deeply popular and Murs' popularity played no small part in the size of the crowd present to see Only Olly at the Big Top tonight. But its one thing to say that Murs is the draw, its another for a tribute act to satisfy a crowd, and that is what happened this evening.
Just like his inspiration, this act is both slick and polished. Hutchinson is also a born entertainer. Seeing him perform, you realise that the stage is his natural environment, exhibiting an energy that feeds off the response of his crowd and never lets up throughout the show. He has been performing since he was a child and audition for the X Factor himself previously. He also found himself invited to appear on TV recently in the new talent show, Starstruck. So his natural talent and charisma should come as no surprise.
The vocals are pitch perfect and the performer makes excellent use of the space offered on stage at this, quite frankly unusual venue. I say unusual as it is crammed with families making the most of the school holidays. Every age is represented here from newborns to grannies and what's more, some of them even brought their dogs to the show. Two tables away from me, a placcid Dog De Bordeaux lay obediently under a table getting attention from everyone and yet unphased by the level of the music or the flashing lights.
One of the most impressive aspets of the show is the use of the video wall behind the artist. An incredibly well-timed video ran in tandem with the show showing footage of the real Olly Murs interspered with the lyrics to the songs allowing fans to sing along with his performance. The smiles never stopped as he performed. Its clear that as a performer Hutchinson loves what he is doing bringing the music of Murs to the fans that might never get the chance to witness the real thing in concert.
It was a great to hear Hutchinson perform the likes of Heart Skips a Beat and Up. The audience really got into its groove as he sang Troublemaker and Dance With Me Tonight. One of the most fascinating things for me was the heartwarming sight of seeing fathers forgetting about the need to appear macho joyously getting up and dancing with daughters, as Mums led sons to the dancefloor too, all ages partying together happily under one roof. You rarely get the chance to see such wholesome family entertainment performed so well and enjoyed by so many. My favourite performance during this set was his rendition of Dear Darling. It is a catchy tune performed exceptionally well by Hutchinson and could easily have been his own rather than a cover, the way he impressed as he sang.
The second half of Hutchinson's show was a covers section, whereby he treated his audience to the music of Take That, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran and Robbie Williams. I have to say that the music of Take That seemed to be the real winner with the crowd. The ladies flocked to the dance floor. It Only Takes a Minute and Relight My Fire had them bopping away and singing at the top of their voices and I am sure Prosecco sales at the bar somehow rocketed as they did. My favourite song in Hutchinson's second set was the sixties hit I'm A Believer recently revived by the movie Shrek. The audience again leapt to its feet and rocked the dance floor as he gave it his all and injected it with his individual personality. I have it on good authority (James' Dad, Paul!) that James first sang the number on karaoke aged just 3. Its no wonder he can perform the song at the drip of a hat without hesitation.
Only Olly is perfect holiday fayre, family friendly, recognisable songs performed with relish and enthusiasm by a performer whose love of performing is infectious. If you get the chance to catch James Hutchinson's tribute show, I thoroughly recommend it. Like the artist himself you will leave with a smile on your face.
Andy Evans 29 October 2022
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