Oxford Mail reader Debbie Sheppard is pleasantly surprised by the energy on display at Showaddywaddy's Oxford gig

  • Showaddywaddy
  • New Theatre Oxford
  • September 13

I have been a fan of Showaddywaddy since I was a young teenager and was lucky enough to see them twice in their heyday.

So it was with great excitement, albeit a little bit of low expectation, that I got tickets for this latest show. After all, the line up is a lot different to what it was, and I have seen a few of my girlhood idols who have disappointed in years gone by.

I consider myself to have a very diverse taste in music from Dizzy Rascal to Frank Sinatra, but as a result of being born in the 60s and having my mum's old records to play, I do like rock & roll and doo-wop the best.

My husband (who I had to persuade to come along as this was not really his bag) and my mother accompanied me.

From the very first song, Andy Pelos and co had the audience in the palms of their hands.

Everyone was singing and it wasn't long before people were up dancing - a nightmare for the New Theatre staff I guess. I couldn't believe how quickly the first half went.

When they came back out for the second part, more people got up and danced - myself included. At one point they invited some of the audience up on stage, which I have never seen before and certainly did not happen back in their 70s shows.

All too soon it ended. Everyone was buzzing as we left the theatre. Even my husband said that he had really enjoyed it. I am very tempted to book up for another show elsewhere.

If I am honest, I went for nostalgia, believing that they would not be anywhere as good as the original line up. But I am glad to say that I was proved wrong.