Sixteen Candles

On Sunday night, the cold had let up but the heavy snow started coming down. Instead of staying home to watch the Grammys, I headed over to Lula Lounge to see a capella group Retrocity. Tonight's was a "Sweet Sixteen" anniversary show and promised to feature a wide variety of 80s songs. As such, the members ditched their usual 80s costume for formal black and white, though there were sly nods including Rubik's cube key chain, lace gloves, and "window-blind" sunglasses.

The first few songs were particular fun for Retrocity as the original singers were sitting in the audience: Martha Johnson (Black Stations/White Stations) and Lorraine Segato (Parachute Club medley Rise Up and At The Feet Of The Moon). This led to a running gag where a singer would gesture out into the audience during a bridge: "And now ladies and gentlemen, George Michael". They didn't stick to the usual hits though there were plenty (I Need You Tonight, Everything She Wants) but sang quite a few "new" material: Pink Floyd (Comfortably Numb, Money), Crowded House (Don't Dream It's Over), The Cure (Close To Me). Of course, there were lots of major crowd pleasers. Their first set ended with Bohemian Rhapsody and they book-ended their second set with their 80s rap medley and Chaka Khan's I Feel For You. It was an evening of infectious music that would have been perfect if the sound mix was better.