Music & Musicals
By Norman Jay MBE and Funk Club DJs
The Urban Orchard
26th of January
Michael Nield
Australia Day is often characterised by barbecues, beaches and fireworks. However, if like me you sometimes struggle to face the hordes of Australian flag themed sunglasses, hats, bikinis and bogans, it is good to know that Fringe offers a fun alternative. At the weekend Fringe World and the Perth Cultural Centre played host to an eight hour free set by celebrated British DJ Norman Jay MBE and the Funk Club DJs. Revered as one of the best funk and soul DJs in the world, Norman Jay is renowned for bringing together myriad music styles, and for establishing the Notting Hill Carnival’s Good Times Sound System which attracts massive crowds every year.
Nestled in the Urban Orchard and described as ‘an afternoon of smooth summer tunes’ it was easy to see how Norman Jay could turn this laid back venue into an oasis of cool. While the wisdom of starting the beats at three o’clock is debatable at best, the scorching sun couldn’t keep revellers away for long, and by six o’clock the groovy tunes were drawing Perthites to the Urban Orchard en masse.
As the sun set the music lifted. The Funk Club DJs’ mixing and threading of classic pop and funky soul drew onlookers to the dance floor to bop and sway the afternoon away. Norman Jay took to the stage as the sun went down and the audience was in full swing. True to reputation Jay played plenty of funky soul and soulful funk, mixed with crowd favourites like Barry White and the Jackson Five, and (my personal favourite) an epic remix of Aretha Franklins ‘Respect’. A clever set crafted to keep the audience enthralled and dancing til they dropped, Norman Jay and the Funk Club DJs did an exemplary job of providing Perth audiences with a funky alternative this Australia Day.
The Urban Orchard was a beacon of Fringe this weekend, with Norman Jay and the Funk Club DJs the jewel in their funky, quirky crown.
Norman Jay played one show only in Perth on Monday 26th January.
For more information on other Fringe events visit the program here.
