Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Thursday 29 February 2024, Adelaide Fringe, Gluttony, South Australia
Setting The Vibe
A decade with a style: the noughties. Is it too soon to be nostalgic? NEVER!
If you didn’t own a “So Fresh” CD, do you even exist? It was a compilation of our best memories, our heartbreaks…of every season growing up…
With non-stop bangers from the early 2000s, this show will jam pack nostalgic hit after hit, in one hour of power.
Chloe Castledine and Winston Howard lead a 10 piece ensemble; live band, dancers and all… it’ll be a party bringing in the Y2K all over again! Be ready to dance, you know you want to.
The Review
If you lived it or only just hearing about it… The 2000’s was the birth of some mega music, including a cd (remember those?) that came out every year… ‘So Fresh’ the brand was born.
Fast forward… ‘So Fresh! Hits of the 2000s’ at the 2024 Adelaide Fringe Festival in Gluttony’s ‘Virago’ is a spectacular throwback to the early 2000s, promising an unforgettable night of nostalgia and iconic tunes. Conceived by the mad talents of Chloe Castledine and the rather brilliant The Cast Entertainment, this show is a banging explosion of the biggest and packing hits from the ‘So Fresh’ track lists of the fabulous and varied noughties. With Chloe and The Cast band delivering us a smorgasbord, us punters were treated to an array of hits from Britney Spears (including THE red pvc body suit) to Justin Timberlake, J-Lo, Jet, and truck loads more.
The show is not just a musical journey but a vibrant, immersive production featuring a 10-piece ensemble and the Impact Entertainment dancers, creatively bringing to life all the top noughties bangers. The performance is a colorful, high-energy Y2K party reimagined, packing in as many iconic tunes as possible, from teen pop sensations to rock bands, covering a wide spectrum of genres.
Taking us back to the 2000s, Chloe Castledine showcases the era, from the pumping technology and pop culture phenomena to the thrilling visual images. The fashion, often described as unique for its tackiness, and the music, which remains unforgettable and still resonates on dance floors today, are also celebrated AND there are lots.
Opening with the smashing ‘Let’s Get It Started’ and wrapping up with powerful ‘Mr Brightside’ – it was a total trip down memory lane, sprinkled with all with everything we knew, loved and STILL love… Britney, Beyonce, Timberlake, Eminem and waaaaay more.
The band were electric and on-fire, owning every song… Keyboardist/Music Director: David Goodwin, Guitarist: Sam Cagney, Bass: Jon Wilson & Drummer: Alexander Flood. Sensational work from these talented musicians.
AND the dancers, just wow… they did NOT miss a beat… From Impact Entertainment, Caley Watt, Chymz Angeles, Allycia Angeles & Amy Gallery slayed every move like the pro’s they are.
Of course the stars were lead vocals Chloe and Winston Howard, the stage presence and their vocal were hitting the mark EVERY SINGLE TIME, a feat when you consider the range of material they had to get through from a myriad of different artists and genres. Bravo!
The energy in this production was bountiful and brought you in (and took you back) as an audience member. Killer beats, all memorable, it’s a top show. Definitely go and check it out.
Playing in Gluttony for the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2024, ‘So Fresh! Hits of the 2000s’ promises to be both musically and visually stunning, creating an atmosphere of excitement and vivid nostalgia. It delivers. It’s an opportunity to relive the best of the noughties, a decade that brought us unforgettable hits and cultural milestones.
This show is a must-see for those looking to relive the glory days of the 2000s, offering a perfect blend of nostalgia, music, and entertainment that captures the essence of a vibrant decade.
FIVE GLIMMERRY STARS *****
For tickets, show dates and times, click right here! 🙂
