Music Review: The Overtones CHRISTMAS PARTY – The Lowry, Salford

With nine sold-out UK tours under their belt, The Overtones prove that they’ve learnt a thing or two about throwing a CHRISTMAS PARTY

4 out of 5 stars

Over the past few years, its become somewhat of a tradition to see The Overtones at Christmas. Almost every year since 2015, the multi-platinum-selling vocal harmony group have performed a Christmas show, taking their trademark sense of celebration and party on the road. 2019 is no exception.

Bounding onto stage dressed in sharp white suits and black ties, The Overtones’ latest tour – aptly named CHRISTMAS PARTY – sees the four-piece performing classic Christmas songs from new EP, as well as fan favourites in what can only be described as a 90-minute festive celebration.

With five top 10 albums and nine sold-out UK tours under their belt, the band certainly know a thing or two about throwing a Christmas party, encouraging the audience to dance and sing along during their opening number BABY, PLEASE COME HOME.

The group look very much at home on stage, laughing and joking with the audience as they belt out party classics YOU TO ME ARE EVERYTHING and PRETTY WOMAN, as well as fan favourite WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE.

The best of the evening comes when the tempo slows and the group really get to show off their trademark vocal harmonies. A beautiful performance THE GLORY OF LOVE, the song they performed at the Queen’s jubilee in 2012, sees Darren Everst’s falsetto combine perfectly with the mid-range tenors of Mike Crawshaw and Mark Franks.

At this point, the group also take the time to pay tribute to their loyal fans who have seen them through some difficult times. Following the tragic and unexpected death of their lead singer Timmy Matley in April last year and band member Lockie Chapman leaving to pursue a solo career, its fair to say that the band has had a turbulent couple of years.

Yet, as they approach their 10th anniversary in 2020, the group full of energy and optimism, introducing new member Jay James with enthusiasm, his voice adds a new dimension to uplifting numbers like SEPTEMBER and WALKING IN THE AIR.

The night ends with a flurry of Christmas numbers including HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS and SLEIGH RIDE as well a few Overtone’s classics including RUNAWAY SUN, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU and DANCING ON THE CEILING.

By time group return for an encore of SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN and their new single CELEBRATION, the audience is already up on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

“We want everyone to leave with a huge smile on their face and a spring in their step” explains Crawshaw. They certainly lived up to their promise.

The Overtones CHRISTMAS PARTY performed at The Lowry, Salford on 8 December and tours nationally until 18 December 2019.