Jamie MacDowell & Tom Thum: Adelaide Fringe 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Star performance – what a talented live music duo with a mesmerising onstage presence.
Only performing for six nights at the Adelaide Fringe, it was an unexpected treat to witness such unique, talented performers in a captivating, funny, moving one hour show that is easily a standout highlight of this year’s festival.
About the Show:
Beatbox sensation, Tom Thum – best known for the most watched TEDx talk of all time: Beatbox Brilliance – joins forces with bohemian singer-songwriter Jamie MacDowell to create original, genre-defying music that is “redefining musical parameters” (Nouse).
Armed only with a guitar, and a versatile voicebox able to convey any instrument, this duo eschew cynicism, exude joy, and defy expectations.
REVIEW:
WOW! This show was amaaaaaazing! Not knowing what to expect having very little knowledge of beatboxing, it was encouraging to see so many people fill the air-conditioned tent mid-week to see a show in the Garden.
The staging is simple – just enough room for Jamie and Tom to stand behind their impressive electronic equipment, Jamie with his guitar and Tom his microphone. The lighting is moody and fortunately the tent is nice and cool.
The pair walk in to a round of applause and Tom starts the show with his impressive skillset of incredible sounds, headphones on and expertly working the switches of his looping machine. Every song on the night is created live on the spot, even the audience is asked to chime in and sing as Tom records the sounds and mixes them into the music.
They each have impressive solo performances and what could initially appear as an unlikely pairing, when they perform together the chemistry is undeniable. Tom’s beatboxing alongside Jamie’s guitar and vocals makes for a unique collaboration that’s original and authentic. The obvious joy for what they do is infectious and there is genuine friendship and respect between the two.
It’s surprising to hear different genres too, each track unique and engaging. Jamie is a charming performer – be it singing, playing his guitar or working his sampler keyboard. His humour had the audience laughing out loud multiple times!
The small hitches here and there make the show relatable and are part of what makes live music and artistic creation on the spot so impressive.
Tom’s beatboxing skill is off the charts and just how he does what he does with only his voice is mind blowing! Jamie’s voice is sublime and his personality shines through, his song lyrics ranging from deeply serious to light and humorous.
Don’t miss this impressive live music duo if you get the chance!
Jamie MacDowell & Tom Thum are performing in the Umbrella Revolution at The Garden of Unearthly Delights until Sunday 10 March 2024. Rated PG (mild course language – we did chat with Jamie after the show and they always make an effort to curb any language if they notice kids in the audience, but be warned there may be an occasional f-bomb!).
CLICK HERE FOR SHOW INFO & TICKETS
For more information please visit the Adelaide Fringe website.
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post. The Play & Go team review via media accreditation and when kindly invited.
Main Image – supplied by Adelaide Fringe media (photos by Play & Go Adelaide)
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