Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox graced the historic Fisher Theatre in Detroit, meshing contemporary music with vintage vibes and smooth sounds.
Bringing a fresh twist to modern pop anthems, Postmodern Jukebox transforms contemporary hits into classic styles reminiscent of legends of the past. This was their 19th stop on the expansive 55-city Magic & Moonlight Tour featuring an insanely talented ensemble of accomplished musicians and performers from across the nation.
Detroit’s historic Fisher Theatre, one of the city’s oldest live venues, was an ideal setting for their throwback musical blend. The Art Deco building was completed during the heyday of the Jazz Age, which is what much of Postmodern Jukebox’s style harkens back to.
The night kicked off with an electrifying performance by lead vocalist and Michigan native Tia Simone, who captivated the audience with a standout mashup of The Romantics’ “What I Like About You” and Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” Rocking a red afro wig and glittering dress, Simone’s dynamic presence and powerful vocals would have undoubtedly made the legendary Tina proud.
Emcee and vocalist LaVance Colley then introduced April Varner, a jazz singer from New York City. Varner’s infectious rendition of Shania Twain’s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” had the crowd on their feet, singing and dancing along. Soon after, she welcomed Kyndle Wylde to the stage, who entranced everyone with her sultry take on Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine.”
The unexpected highlight of the evening was not a musician but the accomplished tap dancer, Jabu Graybeal. His “Evolution of Tap Dance” routine showed off his quick footwork and left jaws on the floor. Simone, Varner, and Wylde—affectionately known as the PMJ girls—then took the stage to wow the crowd with their harmonious performance of Ellie Goulding’s 2013 hit “Burn.”
Like all good performers, Simone knew her audience and led the Postmodern Jukebox ensemble in paying homage to Detroit’s Jack White by offering a jazzed-up rendition of “Seven Nation Army.” Swinging piano and horns combined with the song’s iconic baseline so perfectly that it was easy to imagine the song being performed in a smoke-filled speakeasy.
After that, emcee LaVance Colley took the spotlight, delivering a powerful performance of “House of the Rising Sun” where he showcased his full vocal range. Not many performers can move between deep lows and tenor highs, but Colley did it with ease.
Postmodern Jukebox is known for delivering one reimagined hit after another, but taking on Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” may have been the ultimate challenge. Simone matched the power James Hetfield brings to the song with a passion and soul that was all her own, to the point that you could even see her getting choked up toward the end. The lyrics “So close, no matter how far” may have been the culprit, given Simone’s family and close friends were all in attendance.
It wasn’t just Simone’s show though because each singer and member of the band had their own gorgeous solos that received multiple standing ovations. Kyndle’s cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” in particular, gave everyone chills that spread across the theatre for the encore.
Finally, the PMJ girls ended the show with Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” which was the perfect high-energy capstone to a nostalgic evening.
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