The Legend of Rock Company celebrated their 20th anniversary in style at Shibuya’s Duo Music Exchange, with group of tribute acts representing the 1980s. The all-day extravaganza featured an array of talent that truly captured to essence of the decade.

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Discyu opened the show as Michael Jackson in a full replica of the chrome outfit Michael wore during the 1996 HIStory World Tour. That stripped away, exactly as per Michael, to reveal his gold dance suit, the first of several costume changes through the performance. Accompanied by seven dancers, he danced through a half a dozen of Michael’s hits, copying the icon’s every move to a tee; His performance of Billie Jean with the moonwalk even brought cries of “Michael!” from audience members. It was an excellent start to the proceedings and set the bar high for the acts to follow.

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There were lots of great Rock and Pop musicals in the 1980s and you’ll find The Blues Brothers in most people’s top three. Taking on the task of recreating Jake and Elwood and the band for the stage is BBBCB who have been going for some twenty years. Their act incorporates a ‘Cab Calloway’ doing Minnie The Moocher and an ‘Aretha Franklin’ doing Think, both in full costumes with a sensational band that have the feel of the music performed in the film. ‘Jake and Elwood’ are well choreographed and have boundless energy; Their Blues Brother dance is just as daft and manic as you remember and they really got the joint jumping.

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When a band is a trio, they have to work a lot harder onstage to fill in gaps when solos occur. The Police were masters of this and their instruments so anybody attempting a cover band have to be at the top of their game. Any doubts that The Prison may not be able to pull it off were dismissed in the opening number, each member playing with confidence, delivering the songs with the aggression that The Police had live. The hi-hat and snare work from ‘Stewart’, the bass and vocal co-ordination from ‘Sting’ and ‘Andy’s chord work were spot on. A more cohesive Police cover band I have yet to see.

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The Bauhaus house band play a selection of 1980s greatest hits, Bon Jovi, A-Ha, Van Halen and others. This band play together often so are tight and punchy. Musically, they are the best Japan has to offer as a group playing Rock covers and I for one would love to see them write some of their own. Three vocalists take turns on songs, uniting for the finale, Living On A Prayer. All three are good with excellent ranges and they know how to work an audience and the entire audience is invited down to the Bauhaus post-show to continue the fun.

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‘Cyndi’s voice is uncanny. As with Cyndi herself, it’s impossible to ascertain where this incredible voice comes from. Her delivery of Time After Time is filled with pity and poignancy and she can jump an octave and a half either way with ease. Resplendent in a red polka dot skirt, she skips, bops and twirls at the mic, never missing a note. Naturally, her band are not the centre of attention but they deserve a mention because their performance and sounds of the instruments were as close to the records as you could get. Combined, band and ‘Cyndi’, it was forty minutes of pure, classic, eighties Pop.

There was more but your intrepid reporter couldn’t stay. Based on what I saw though, the three remaining tributes to Steely Dan, Toto and Billy Joel would be superb and I will endevour to catch them soon. The eighties were a great decade for music and it’s lovely to see those that love their artists make so much time and effort to recreate it for us. Keep up the good work.