Cloudbusting review: Who needs Kate Bush when we’ve got Mandy from Cornwall?

There are tribute bands and then there’s Cloudbusting – The Music of Kate Bush. The longest-running and most celebrated tribute to the music of pop’s most mysterious performer, the group’s success rests on how good their “Kate” is.

Anyone who has seen Cloudbusting on their ever popular UK tours will know that their ‘Kate’ is unbelievably good. With band members from all over the country, the focal point of Cloudbusting is actually from Cornwall – and Mandy Watson is doing us proud.

A lifelong fan who discovered Kate when she was ten and first heard the stunning Wuthering Heights, Mandy has a low voice without the OTT screams of other copyKates. Her Kate is more subtle, bringing out the lyrical power of the songs – I defy anyone to stay dry-eyed after hearing her version of This Woman’s Work.

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Fittingly, the band kicked off their current tour in Falmouth at a seated Princess Pavilion – they’ll also visit everywhere from Belfast to London. We got two amazing sets of hits and deep dives, aided and abetted by clever cinematography (like Kate’s ballet teacher Lindsay Kemp dancing dreamily to a rendition of Moving , which she wrote in honor of his) and a peak sound (take a bow). Carey Davies, who has provided many concerts in Cornwall for years, was perfectly audible).

Yes, we’ve got Running Up That Hill, including some Stranger Things-indebted footage that nods to the revival of the song, Babooshka, Hounds of Love and a sublime Army Dreamers, but there was also epic fan favorite Sunset from the Aerial album and more less likely but wonderful songs like And So Is Love and Top of the City.

Bassist Dave Roberts did Peter Gabriel proud with a rousing version of Don’t Give Up (and his bass playing was mesmerizing), while Chris Voysey on guitar (what a solo to end Wuthering Heights), drummer Adam Aggiss and keyboardist Matthew Bowers are all incredibly talented musicians.

The fact that Kate Bush’s original bassist, longtime sound engineer and former romantic partner, the late Del Palmer, as well as her drummer and percussionist Preston Heyman previously played with the band should tell you how good they are – as should and a standing ovation after a particularly rousing version of Cloudbusting, which ended the show in a life-affirming breath.

Over the 30 years I’ve been writing about music in Cornwall, I’ve often been sniffed about by tribute bands, but if they’re as frighteningly good as Mandy and her Cloudbusting boys, then enjoy the moments (to check another concert from this concert). big points) I give to the fans.