THE JACKSONS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR | LIVE REVIEW

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sun 25 June

Who doesn’t love the Jacksons? Whether a diehard fan, or the occasional listener, you cannot deny the influence and popularity of the world’s most successful musical family. Clearly, the absence of the star attraction, younger brother Michael, is a factor in the performance – but despite not having the lyrical perfection of MJ, Tito, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine proved to be far more athletic and sounding pretty good, than one might imagine given their ages. It’s hard enough to disco dance and moonwalk when you’re young, let alone in your fifties or beyond, hence the tour title.

All the hits – including an explosive Can You Feel It, Blame It On The Boogie complete with audience participation, Rock With You and ABC – were received with whoops and delighted clapping from the audience of a surprisingly mixed-aged audience. At one point, a group of 10 to 15 women started synchronised disco dancing, which was highly amusing as they were clearly having a ball. Various afro-wigged fans and glitter waistcoats gave this a feeling of a nostalgia trip, one with a genuine outpouring of love from the crowd.

The whole concert was a celebration: throughout, clips of Michael and the Jacksons in their youth showed the upbringing they shared and their meteoric rise to fame. Michael was undoubtably a talented and exceptional performer, but the Jacksons embraced the music, the moves and paid tribute to their little brother; as it happened, the day before this show marked eight years since his passing.

Towards the last 20 minutes, The Jacksons did lose their impetus a touch: a cracking Wanna Be Startin’ Something and the final song Shake Your Body Down pushed them a bit far, I think, but hey – they performed and sang, and the audience loved it. Given they performed at Glastonbury the evening before, it’s hardly surprising they were a tad worn out!

words ANTONIA LEVAY photos KEVIN PICK