Project Description

FURNACE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS

‘Furnapalooza 2019 World Tour’

@ Enmore Theatre

13/09/19

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Amelia Torresan

.

.

.

When you hear the term ‘cover band’ what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Is it wedding cover bands? Or is it a band covering classic rock songs at your local pub? Well one band aims to change your mind by making cover bands cool again by bringing a whole new level of energy and fun to the field.

The night opened up with a set from ‘Big Red Fire Truck,’ lead by Furnace and the Fundamental‘s very own man of many talents, Digby. The band played a range of original songs from their repertoire, including older songs such as ‘Primal Heat‘ to their most recent release ‘Heart Attack.’ Their sound was refreshing yet classic rock, so you could either dance or headbang to the beat. Think if Hanson covered an AC/DC song: fun, upbeat vocals with a heavy overdrive on guitar, some great dance moves and bold fashion choices. I personally really enjoyed their sound and performance last night and would go see them perform again if i had the chance. They were the perfect opening act for what was to come!

.

.

Now for the main event of the night, the group all of 2000 people gathered in the Enmore Theatre were waiting to see: Furnace and The Fundamentals. The cover band from Sydney is comprised of six members: Furnace, Digby, Tom, Marcus, Pluto and Mike who together reinvent and mashup some of the most iconic songs in history and have built a loyal fanbase over the years. The woman in front of me in the crowd was screaming so loud, telling me that it was her 4th year seeing them and the band was going to ‘absolutely rock the house.’ Seeing them once before myself, I knew how much fun the show was going to be and I was shaking with excitement.

Now, it’s not every day that a band will feature a cheesy 80’s style workout video titled ‘Fitness with Furnace‘ to the classic song ‘Footloose‘ by Kenny Loggins AND THEN have a James Bond-esque video to ‘Pump It‘ by the Black Eyed Peas introducing each member before they appeared on stage.

Now, in true Furnace fashion, a timeless song had to open the set. In this instance it was  Crazy in Love by Beyoncé, which was quickly mashed up with Eye of The Tiger by Survivor then Jumpin Jumpin by Destiny’s Child then 9-5 by Dolly Parton. Their musical skill truly knows no limit as they jumped from decade to decade with their setlist with fireworks and smoke machines decorating the stage. The first memorable moment of the night was timed to the first line in the chorus of the 80’s smash hit ‘It’s Raining Men‘ by the Weather Girls. Hundreds of pink balloons and inflatable male dolls were released from nets above the crowd so it was LITERALLY RAINING MEN!

.

.

The group powered through so many different genres of music from all eras, but they were all songs that are popular and people instantly recognise. Imagine the perfect ‘Throwback Thursday‘ playlist that you’ll play on Spotify to sing along to in your car, or your go-to karaoke songs from movie soundtracks. There wasn’t one song that the whole crowd wasn’t singing along to. The songs were expertly crafted into mashups that seamlessly flowed from one to another, which really showed the level of skill Furnace and the Fundamentals had as musicians and composers.

Now let me tell you, the second memorable event of the night was one that made 4 year old Amelia SO NOSTALGIC. Furnace brought out to the stage the one and only Nikki Webster. Yes, ‘Strawberry Kisses‘ Nikki Webster. They then sat upon a Turkish-looking rug at the far side of the stage and proceeded to sing ‘A Whole New World‘ from Aladdin while being carried ON THE RUG THROUGH THE CROWD. It was truly a magical moment that I know I will not forget. This was the first of two moments where Furnace would ride through the crowd.

.

.

The entire show was just one big party, and Furnace and the Fundamentals just kept bringing more and more. Watching them dance around the stage, I had two thoughts in my head: “How much energy do these guys have?!” and “Wow, you can tell they really love what they do.” Each member had such stage presence that it was impossible to look away from the show in front of you, even when Digby performed a Magic Mike-style performance on a guy from the audience which was only slightly weird but hilariously funny.

Furnace then rode on a pink pool inflatable flamingo through the crowd wearing a red sequin blazer singing the opening song to the Lion King: ‘Circle of Life‘. The whole moment reminded me of those classic 90’s movies where the boy tries to win the heart of the girl by performing some grand gesture. The crowd was laughing at how ridiculous the scenario was.

.

.

The show began to come to a close with a conga line through the crowd,  ‘Shout‘ by The Isley Brothers and then, of course, the classic, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ by Queen. Comparing this show to their last one at Lost Paradise, the level of crowd interaction and entertainment has just gone through the roof. I never thought I would enjoy a show so much in my life but I did. If clubs in Sydney were like this show, playing classic songs that everyone knows, dances and sings along to, I would go out way more often.

All in all, if you’re after a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable show that’ll give you heaps of nostalgia and make you lose your voice, then a Furnace and the Fundamentals show is the place to be. Furnace brings the heat and the Fundamentals bring the fun!

.

Connect with Furnace and the Fundamentals

Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  Website

.

.

 

.

AMNPLIFY_DT