ED2014 4/5 Reviews ED2014 Music Reviews

Alternotive a Cappella (The Oxford Alternotives)

By Laura Gavin | Published on Saturday 16 August 2014

Mashing up the defiant strains of ‘No Scrubs’ by TLC with a splash of N Sync doesn’t necessarily sound like a great idea. Luckily, well-established student singing group The Oxford Alternotives have the skills to make it work. An hour of modern hits and old classics broken down, spliced and harmonised to a sometimes unrecognisable extent, ‘Alternotive a Cappella’ showcases both the group’s technical prowess and their creativity. Soloists Meghan Rossi and Ed Crawford are particularly strong, as is Max Woodman’s inhuman beatboxing, though some of the quieter voices get swamped by the chorus. The fun, Grease-style sing-offs and characterful choreography suggest they’re enjoying it just as much as we are: even the most jaded of festival-goers will get caught up in the atmosphere.

C, until 16 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Laura Gavin]