Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures über-brand has come a long way since the idea first appeared on his radio show. Back then it was all about oddities like Captain & Tennille and John Miles – looking for genius in records that ought to be stylistic write-offs. In its latest club incarnation it’s about straight-up genius – pop genius. It’s a wise move as dancefloors these days don’t stop movin’ to songs that they know and love. Brighton is just one stop off on a tour that includes London, Manchester and Edinburgh, but the night could have been made for us. With a crowd that runs right across the age range, there’s dancing, singing and dressing up, making this just about the most friendly and up for it night around. As if the crowd wasn’t spectacle enough, the performances from the dance troupes have to be seen to be believed. By putting aside the guilt they’ve made a hell of a pleasure party.
FYI
NEXT EVENT: Sat 21st May, Concorde 2
NEXT THEME: Let’s Get Physical Disco Workout Party
WEB: www.guiltypleasures.co.ukDOWNLOAD PHOTOS: From our Flickr
TOP TEN
“It’s never easy to pick ones favourites, non-more so when it comes to the glorious world of pop, but here’s some of our all time favourites that we can’t be without,” say Guilty Pleasures.
Journey ‘Don’t Stop Believin”
“Probably the biggest record we play and no doubt made Journey’s older age that much sweeter thanks to Glee. We were rocking it well before it became unstoppable monster it is now. We like to think we were the pioneers. Might be slightly ambitious, but always nice to dream.”
Hall and Oates ‘Maneater’
“Darryl Hall and John Oates are never far from our minds. They created some of the best pop records ever and coupled with some of the finest hair (Hall) and dedicated ‘tache maintenance (Oates) ever seen, makes them winners in our book.”
DeBarge ‘Rhythm Of The Night’
“Yeah, they looked a bit rubbish but who cares when the pop’s this good? It’s almost carnival like in it’s delivery and makes the perfect soundtrack for an impromptu conga.”
Take That ‘Never Forget’
“One of our end of nighters. From a choral choir to arms-aloft chorus, this is always our “Live Aid” moment at any gig with the crowd in full swing. We’re aware of how tragic this sounds. It’s good fun though.”
Huey Lewis & The News ‘The Power Of Love’
“God bless the synthesiser and its power chords. The News make full work of its settings in this track, which results in a bonkers audience whenever we play it out.”
Joan Jett ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’
“Another call to arms moment. People go NUTS when they hear this and rightly so. It’s a jumping-up-and-down-spilling-your-drink-on-your-shoes smasher.”
Toto ‘Africa’
“It reminds Sean of holidays, despite having never visited Africa. He’s got a feverish imagination. It’s testimony to the lyrical prowess of this west coast band’s soft rock brilliance. We love Toto.”
Bugsy Malone ‘You Give A Little Love’
“Musicals have a soft spot in our hearts; it’s the high level of drama. When precocious children perform it though, it’s a whole other ballgame. We love a good Charleston to this one.”
Dolly Parton ‘Here You Come Again’
“One for early doors. Dolly is queen on our eyes. A combination of a ridiculously proportioned body, excessive everything and a killer voice makes for one of the super novas in the pop galaxy.”
Irene Cara ‘Flashdance (What A Feeling)’
“Who can resist this? The lyrics contain one of our mottos: “Take your passion and make it happen”. And by God we do. Praise be to Irene.”
