Even the flood water wanted to get into see HUGE at the Grand Opera House creeping towards Silvano's but not even it could get a ticket. For two nights the Opera House was crammed to the rafters with a mixture of hardened stalwarts, gangs of women & anxious first-timers unaware of what lay ahead...
Because a night with HUGE is not a standard 'sit and watch the band' experience. From the comedy intro video from York Legend Berwick Kaler to the very end the audience were up dancing in the aisles.
HUGE opened with an aggressive version of the Temptations' "Get Ready" but HUGE are not just a soul band.
As well as the tried and tested Mustang Sally & disco tunes they crammed the 3 hour show with tunes by Queen, Gnarls Barclay, Barry White, James Brown & Elton John.
No tune was beneath them and the audience loved it. Big Ian held the 1000 strong crowd in his hand throughout the show having them singalong and mimic his dance moves interjecting with one liners between songs.
Although they claim to be "cheesy entertainment" HUGE can perform with the best of them - their rhythm section is super-tight, George & Hooter's harmonies are beautiful, the brass section raised the roof with a powerful performance and Big Ian's voice sounded stronger than ever.
There was something for everyone - from Happy Hour by the Housemartins to Northern soul classics like the Snake. Big Ian, at one point, had all the women in the stalls around the boxes singing "Back for Good" & "Relight my fire" by Take That.
As per usual the soloing from sax player Kempy had the audience screaming in admiration. Ian even enlisted George, the butt of all the gags & keyboard player, to assume the role of Kiki Dee in their version of "Don't go breaking my heart" - a very disturbing image!
People left after a rousing, over the top version of Delilah, hoarse & with sore hands from clapping but all agreed they had had a fantastic evening.
Huge don't rest on their laurels nor cut corners - the show was visually superb with an amazing lights and graphics show. They put their audience 1st, 2nd and 3rd and it's clear to see why their tickets go so quickly. We'll be back next year.
The York Times
