Head to the ’80s

By Casey Neill
AUDIENCES can take a step back in time when the ’80s return to the stage in Ferntree Gully and Mount Evelyn.
Absolutely 80s will be a blast from the past at Ferntree Gully Hotel and York on Lilydale in the coming weeks.
The nostalgia event was the brainchild of Brian Mannix, from ’80s group Uncanny X-Men, and Kids in the Kitchen’s Scott Carne.
“We did the Countdown Spectacular in 2006 and loved it so much we decided to take the show on the road,” Mr Carne said.
“It got legs and we’re flat out touring around the country continuously throughout the year.” The core duo tours with a rotating roster of Australia’s top ’80s pop icons.
This tour will feature David Sterry from Real Life and Paul Gray from Wa Wa Nee.
Mr Carne said they’d be playing all their best known tunes, including Top 10 hits Change in Mood and Current Stand.
“It’s like a time capsule,” he said.
“We don’t put a new slant on our old songs. We play them the way they were recorded and intended to be heard. We don’t bore them with the new songs.”
The band will perform for almost two hours. Mr Carne said Aussie tracks made up most of the set. “We mix it up a bit depending on who’s playing with us,” he said.
Absolutely 80s will take the York on Lilydale stage on Friday 21 May and play the Ferntree Gully Hotel on Saturday 5 June.
The Mail has a double pass to each show to give away, including a backstage meet and greet with the band. Readers can send an email with the subject line ‘Absolutely 80s’, their name and a contact number to casey.neill@yvnews .com.au by 5pm Friday 14 May for a chance to win.
The Mail will randomly select and telephone the winners.