Jean Genie, Robin 2, Bilston - review
On the day before what would have been David Bowie's 70th birthday, and almost exactly a year since the Starman's unexpected demise, Bowie fans ensured a full house at Bilston's Robin 2 venue for a performance by tribute act Jean Genie.
First of all, the crowd were warmed up nicely by Walsall trio Urbane with their tribute to the synth pop sounds of the 1980s.
Despite the sad connotations of the date, and the expected post festive season hangover, this turned out to be a joyous night celebrating Bowie's legacy with particular attention to his 1970s and early 80s prime.
Opening with Five Years, a slow burn apocalyptic track from the Ziggy Stardust album, it was clear that John Mainwaring and his band were not just about the greatest hits or a careerwide overview of the Thin White Duke's legacy. In fact, Absolute Beginners from 1986 was as up to date as they got from a career that only ended with the Blackstar album a year ago.
But one evening could never do justice to all the different aspects of Bowie. It seems only reasonable that Jean Genie, which started off as a tribute to a single Bowie creation - Ziggy Stardust - should concentrate on the hard rocking years when Bowie as Ziggy fronted the Spiders from Mars. After all, Jean Genie have probably performed Ziggy Stardust many more times than Bowie did.
The Spiders From Mars included Mick Ronson on guitar and Jean Genie also boast a hard rocking band with a guitarist who can do justice to those Ronson riffs.
The lead singer's resemblance to Bowie is more vocal that physical but it's the voice that counts and he also blew a mean harmonica on a bluesy extended version of signature tune, The Jean Genie.
Other highlights included songs missed by some other tributes, including The Man Who Sold The World, Cracked Actor, an acoustic version of Drive-in Saturday and Bowie's own cover versions of The Velvet Underground's I'm Waiting For The Man and The Merseys' Sorrow.
Space Oddity, Life on Mars, Oh You Pretty Things, Starman, Moonage Daydream and Heroes were among the most well received songs before the gig reached its crescendo with Let's Dance, followed by an encore consisting of Rebel Rebel and, of course the big finish, Ziggy Stardust.
By Leon Burakowski
