Since The East Coast Boys erupted onto the scene back in 2008, they have been coined one of the most authentic Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tribute bands this side of the Atlantic. In shrewd suits and slicked hair, the plucky young men perform an assortment of different hits including Walk Like a Man, Rag Doll, Sherry and My Eyes Adored You.
There is little negative to say about this finely tuned tribute show. Their 10 year record certainly means that if Big Girls Don’t Cry had any issues, they were thoroughly ironed out after hundreds of shows up and down the country.
If you aren’t familiar with Franki Valli, your ears will soon prick at the cutting falsetto tones which emanate from Lee Matthews who does an exceptional job at imitating the legend while tackling a vocally taxing 2 hour set. Liam Lakin, Bradley Clarkson and David Hinton-Gale also masquerade as Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi with professionalism and charm.
The show feels slightly dwarfed in such a large theatre as the Lyric. The band often encourages you up on your feet and dance as many did, but were told to sit down immediately by theatre staff. It is preferable to be on a physical level with the performers for a show like this. On a higher level, one feels away from the action, despite the boys doing their best to include everyone in the auditorium.
It is no wonder fans come back and see this crowd-pleaser over and over again; the vocals are flawless, the men are charming and all with an incomparable dedication to the New Jersey heart-throbs.
Reviewed by Nicole Darvill-Batten
1 September – Royal Hall, Harrogate
8 September – Corn Exchange, Cambridge
14 September – Shanklin Theatre, Shanklin
29 September – Wyllyotts Theatre, Potting Bar
5 October – Broadway Theatre, Peterborough
6 October – Dorking Halls, Dorking
12 October – Middlesborough Theatre, Middlesborough
19 October- Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
19 October – Regent Theatre, Christchurch
20 October – Millfield Arts Centre, Millfield
21 October – The Mill, Sonning
27 October – Charter Hall, Preston
1 November – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
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