27 Club

27 Club arrives as a live rockumentary about musicians who died at twenty-seven. The music is the clear strength: the musicians are talented, and when the band is playing well there is real energy in it. As the show develops these well practised live musicians are easily able to rouse the crowd.

The problem is everything around the music. It opens in underwhelming contrast to the skillset of its players, the set list continues in oddly organised fashion, and the show feels short on theatricality and direction. Rather than building into a coherent piece of theatre, it often feels like an assembly of musical numbers without enough shape around them. I felt myself craving the stories and drama, as well as just the music.

There is also a missed opportunity with Robert Johnson. His music was promised and discussed, but he was never actually played live. Given the quality of the musicians on stage, it felt like a strange decision.

Great music. Talented players. An enjoyable evening. Not enough of a show around them.

27 Club by Amplified House and Assembly Festival. Credit Jacinta Oaten.