Tomas Ford @ Ya Yas, Perth(06/08/11)

Tue 9th Aug, 2011 in Gig Reviews

If the Perth music scene was a secret society, then seeing and surviving a Tomas Ford show would be the initiation process. The tall, dashing musical theatre superstar has become an institution in Perth. With no two shows ever alike, its hard to know exactly what you are in for. However, one thing is for certain. If Tomas Ford is involved then you are in for a good… no, great time.

The night kicked off with a bang as Tomas Ford belted out Fergie’s hit My Humps , as reviewers realised just how hard it was going to be to write about what essentially was a karaoke party with a Tomas Ford show thrown in the middle for good measure. Throughout the night, the who’s who in Perth music joined in the fun performing their karaoke favourites. From Hayley Beth’s version of Mariah Carey’s My Hero to Injured Ninja’s take on The Ronettes Be My Baby, the crowd responded in rapturous applause, dance and singalongs.

While the professionals took a breather, amateurs and semi-amateurs were allowed to get up on stage and try their vocal chords with their own renditions of karaoke songs. This inspired the more alcoholically charged in the room, with one even stripping down to a bra, tights and undies as he belted out Tom Jones’ She’s A Lady almost stealing the floor from right under Tomas Ford’s feet.

After the karaoke frivolities, it was time for Tomas Ford to get up on stage to do what he does best – make everyone in the room feel just that little bit of dirty (but in the best possible way). In a rather fitting turn of events, I Feel Dirty is the name of his new single and the reason that we all came to Ya Yas in droves on an unseasonablly balmy winters Saturday night.

While the sauvest man in Perth pranced and grinded across the room, he delivered a set full of classics and nw stuff from his much anticipated album. Tomas Ford has a knack for getting the audience, no matter how big or how small, involved, making them feel like its okay to lose your inhibitions because he will be there to hold your hand and guide you through the journey. Via tracks Bash Myself, Vice, Cuddle and Five Times, Tomas Ford was able to perform an incredibly effective interactive show. By utilising every space in that room and even some of the tables, the audience felt like they were being performed to on a one on one basis. He even ventured outside at one point to entertain the Northbridge masses as they walked past in the rain. As he told everyone to move in closer, he held the audience in the palm of his hand and they lapped the attention up willingly. Being serenaded to by one as effortlessly charming as Tomas Ford almost makes you rethink your direction in life. You may think you don’t want a relationship until Tomas Ford touches your face and you all of a sudden want to spend the rest of the night and all of tomorrow in bed spooning. And yet, he doesn’t do cheese. You won’t see him trying to be Michael Bolton, or perhaps you will, but still he will always remain Tomas Ford, a charismatic man with the ability to hold an audience’s attention from the get go and get them involved better than anyone else in the Perth music scene.

If you have never seen him live, do yourself a favour and check out his next show. You will soon see why he is held in such high esteem. And your life will be forever changed.