The Bootleg Beatles @ Birmingham NIA

If you’re going to see a tribute band then it might as well be a ‘good un’, right?…

Back up in the ‘cheap seats (as John would say)’ with a drink or two inside you is the best place to be when The Bootleg Beatles take you on their magical journey through The Beatles’ greatest hits. The illusion is so good… from the costumes, back drops, wigs, head bobs and bows the spectacle is quite something, these guys actually do resemble the fab four.

However in the ‘good seats’ the illusion sadly isn’t quite the same. The wigs and costumes don’t look so good and the tiniest miss played note becomes more noticeable. Seeing The Bootlegs from this new perspective got me thinking that although being in the biggest tribute act in the world must have its obvious perks, it must be so boring! Hearing The Bootleg John repeating his jokes from the last time I saw them 4 years ago and the set as good as it is must get a bit tiresome? They’ve been doing this for 28 years for heaven’s sake!

All that said, if you’re a fan of The Beatles then you’ll no doubt love The Bootleg Beatles. They always come to town around Christmas, so it’s a great opportunity to get a group of friends together, have a few drinks and hit the NIA for a night of singing and dancing. Don’t worry about trying to get the best seats either. Would I see them again? Yes – definitely. The Bootleg’s delivery of The Beatles’ music will never get old. With the brass and string sections in tow they travel the world keeping the magic alive and for that I salute them.

Highlights of the night for me are their rendition of ‘a day in the life’ great song, delivered impecably and the bootleg George singing ‘while my guitar gently weeps’ solo, absolutely beautiful.