LoveLincoln.co.uk was lucky enough to be in the audience for Darius Campbell’s History of the Big Bands tour which stopped off in Lincoln yesterday (Sunday 19th September) for one night only.

Darius and his band of talented musicians performed in front of a packed auditorium at the Lincoln Theatre Royal. The show opened with a Marilyn Monroe-esque burlesque dancer and although her performance was rather unexpected it did add a touch of Hollywood glamour to the occasion. Several stripteases later however I started to wish she would leave her clothes on for a change. I’m sure however the male members of the audience would vehemently disagree!

Unfortunately Darius kept his clothes on which I thought was rather unfair seeing as the Scottish pop star turned West End actor/singer-songwriter only seems to have got more good looking with age.

His voice has also matured like a vintage malt whisky and his covers of songs made famous by the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra seemed effortless.

Between tunes Darius informed the captivated audience about the key musicians of the swing era and cleverly narrated the history of the big bands, seamlessly linking one band leader to another.

The high-energy show was quite intense however and the instrumental tunes in particular were at times overpowering, especially in the cosy surroundings of the Theatre Royal. I imagine a 16-piece orchestra would be more at home in a larger venue and you wouldn’t feel as if the trumpet was being blown in your ear by the person sitting in the next row!

Having said that the musicians were highly talented and the solo performances first class. As well as taking the audience on a musical journey through the big band and swing era, Darius performed some of the songs he has written for his new album and I have to say I was very impressed.

I came away thinking perhaps Darius had been born in the wrong decade as he seemed so at ease with the big band genre. His deep, velvety voice lends itself perfectly to crooning the likes of Fly Me to the Moon and Fever and that, teamed with his on-stage charisma, is a winning combination.

Lincoln was only the second date on his UK tour so if you fancy a trip down Memory Lane or an introduction to some of the greatest music ever made you can catch Darius at various venues up and down the country. Find out more by visiting www.historyofthebigbands.com