Bananarama - Q&A

If you had the opportunity, what questions would you ask Bananarama?

If you are one of the lucky few that have tickets for the event of 2019, 'An evening with Bananarama', you just may be in luck....

So, what questions would you ask our favourite ladies?

What happened when you met Robert De Niro?  Dish the dirt.  There are rumours that he took a shine to one Banana.

Tell us something juicy about the early eighties club scene in London.  There has to be plenty of stories there.  There were so many future stars on the scene.

Who is better at netball - Sade or Keren?  It's a very important and serious question.

What was your beef with Samantha Fox?  I seem to recall snide comments in an interview. Naughty Bananas. Poor Sam.

Who makes you weak at the knees?  An insight into their current...er... romantic thoughts.

Have you seen Peter Cunnah from D-Ream, after giving him a dead leg?  Yes, he deserved it - but has he ever apologised.

What is your favourite George Michael song?  The late, great man and a friend.

Tell us a funny story about you and George.  There must be loads of tales.

At the recording of Band Aid, who did you most want to meet, if any?

Do you miss a weekly Top of the Pops?  I do.

When are you next seeing Siobhan? ...and can I come too?

What is your favourite track from the new album?  We'll have heard the full album by then.

Sitting in the back row

The thrill of seeing an artist perform on a large scale.  The pyrotechnics. The large screens. Lasers. A troop of 20 dancers. An array of extravagant costumes.  It all sounds so amazing, doesn't it?  Unless you're the one who is sitting at the back of the arena.

I ask myself, is there any point going to a gig if I'm not as close to the stage as possible?

Many years ago, I went to Madonna in concert... and of course she was amazing, I assume - because some of the stage was obscured by the overhang of a balcony.

Then recently, I went to see Kylie Minogue and the VIP area was so enormous (and not very full) that the positioning wasn't anywhere near as good as it perhaps should've been, despite the lengthy queuing.

When the Olympics came to London, I was at a party at my friends house.  They had just purchased an enormous HD television and there was a particularly exciting event on - but it was the sheer quality and enormity of those images that brought it home to me.  Why would you bother going to see an event when you can watch everything in amazing detail on your television screen, in the comfort of your home?  You'll never get to experience the view from multiple angles in a sports arena.  You won't be able to pop the kettle on for a cup of tea during the boring parts.

I think I've just aged before my time - but seriously, I can't be alone with these thoughts, surely?

Bananarama: Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo

Seeing the original Bananarama line-up deliver a tour was such an unexpected and incredible moment.  

Having lived and breathed Bananarama since my youth and experiencing the dramatic devastation of the split (I blame my hormones), nobody ever thought this would happen - but it did and it was one of the single most joyful moments of my life.

I bought the merch.  I stood shaking with excitement with my friends.  I danced until my legs fell off.  I looked in awe at the incredible screen graphics.  I was blown away by the new production and the makeover of those hits.  It ticked all of the boxes.

This tour didn't just live up to our expectations, it blew them away.  To look around the venues and see the faces of happy audience members was unexpectedly emotional.  It wasn't just middle aged gay men and wives.  There was a diverse collection of people of all ages and most importantly, they knew the songs ...and many of them also knew all of the camp arm movements too.  It was a genuinely endearing moment to see so many people experiencing utterly, blissful, unabashed pure joy. 

We were all so thankful that we got to experience that joy again with the Live album in various versions, including a DVD and bluray.  Many people don't realise that it's also available on iTunes, see link below.  It was Blue Monday yesterday and I can't think of a better way to wash those blues away than watch one of the worlds greatest pop groups back together again.