Supernova

The Gov
Mon 19 March
season closed


Supernova exploded at the Gov for a one-off Fringe funk contribution comprising tributes to Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. With a stage-crowding line-up of four horns, two percussionists, guitar, keyboard, and four feature vocals - who back up when they're not in the spotlight - the sound was massive yet clear.

The opening number, You Are The Sunshine of My Life, was impressively played with the gusto of an encore against a tired Monday night crowd of Fringe dwellers and funk aficionados. Followed by 'Superstition' and the appearance of the brass, Matt Noble and Peter Noble had established their credentials. Peter singing Higher Ground hinted he may have had a Motown passport in a previous life, and he good-naturedly pulled the wall-flowering audience onto the dance floor - it was pretty ridiculous that all this good music was going to waste, save for a rubber-limbed male dancer and a lady and child. The Wonder set was finished with flourish by Matt's Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours.

The Earth, Wind & Fire set was heavier in horn and by now things had loosened up and the house was bopping to the beat. As with the Wonder tunes, Charmaine Jones and Lee Pfitzner pitched in with the leads, but Charmaine really lit the place up with her huge voice in Fantasy, followed by September, which really pulled in the dancers. 'Supernova' was a great start to the week, and the way the whole band - especially the vocals up front and centre - transformed an initially quiet crowd with their energy, drive and just plain old happiness, was a thing to behold.

David Grybowski