David Brighton’s Monumental ‘Space Oddity Tribute to David Bowie’ – DivaJulia’s Review

Brighton as Bowie - FLAWLESS

I wrote a huge piece (read: gush-fest) last week about David Brighton and his Space Oddity, Tribute to David Bowie. 

The Admiral Theater - Photo: jaBrink

That post was written prior to witnessing the flawless performance that IS Brighton as Bowie at the Admiral Theater in Bremerton, Washington last Saturday night.  The show was even more than I had anticipated.

Photo by: jaBrink

The time has come for me to officially and legally change my name to 7th Grade Squealing Girl...but rather than squealing over Bieber, it's David Brighton and David Bowie.  Brighton's performance was so spot-ON that it was almost eerily unnerving, but in the best possible way.

As I have mentioned probably a thousand times, I've been fortunate  enough to have seen David Bowie twice in concert...and twice most certainly isn't enough.  But as we all know, Mr. Bowie, at 65 years of age, is in semi-retirement and most likely will never tour again.  I've read that he's happy at home with his stunning model/savvy businesswoman wife, Iman and 12-year old daughter, Alexandria Zahra Jones (Lexi) in New York City enjoying art, books and family life.

What I loved the most about David Brighton's performances - plural - was that we were able to experience the many different personae of Bowie throughout his bountiful career.  I wasn't old enough to appreciate Ziggy Stardust, and I wasn't able to attend a concert during his Thin White Duke period.  I did, however, see the fabulous Serious Moonlight Tour here in Seattle.  (He actually wore a pale blue suit to the show I attended, as opposed to the iconic canary yellow suit we've all come to recognize), as well as the Reality Tour in 2004.  David Brighton brought all of these "characters", if you will, to life--intimately aloof and up close and personal.

David Brighton as BOWIE

Photo: Dwight McCann

Brighton opened the show with "Fame", entering the stage in Bowie's slinky, seductive and graceful manner as The Thin White Duke--my favorite.  The white shirt, black trousers and braces (suspenders, for those of you who aren't into men's clothing like myself), and with that gorgeous slicked back red/blond highlighted hair, Brighton might as well have been a hologram, a` la 2 Pac at Coachella last week.  I was supposed to be taking notes for this review, but I physically and emotionally could not stay seated.  All I could manage was get to the front of the stage to be closer and dance in my red 6" platform shoes to "Young Americans", as this performance truly deserved.  This was NOT the time for a notebook and pen.

"Ch-ch-ch-CHANGES"

Ziggy was next, with a lovely shout-out to Seattle's own Nirvana  prior to a melancholy "Man Who Sold the World".  You may remember Nirvana's "Unplugged"  cover of this classic.)  I was thrilled to hear David Brighton singing "Bang a Gong" (which was so funky and badass) as well as "Time Warp", which obviously aren't Bowie songs, but fit perfectly into Brighton's set.  After all, most artists these days are enjoying treating audiences to cover songs, and this crowd loved these additions to the Bowie set-list.

"Put on your red shoes and dance the blues..."

Photos via David Brighton -  Space Oddity, Tribute to David Bowie

Next it was time for the "Let's Dance"-Bowie.  Memories came flooding back to me as my hair blew back with the opening "Aaaahhh ahhhh ahhhhh....let's DANCE"; I was eleven days pregnant with my first son, Alex, so in a way, he attended the show with me.  A surprising and awesome performance of Bowie's "Cat People" (Putting out fire with gasoline...).  I remember how I was haunted by this song when it was released in the early 80's, but most of you might remember its use in the pivotal theater-burning scene in Quentin Taratino's Inglourious Basterds.  Brighton's performance of this lesser-known single was a thrilling addition to this amazing show.

David Brighton gave local dancers from Kitsap County's Just For Kicks dance studio pivotal roles in the theatrics of his show.  I had a quick chat with one of the dancers, Krista Newhouse just hours before showtime.

Krista Newhouse from Just For Kicks

I loved hearing from Krista just how kind, charming and generous David Brighton was with the local dancers; giving them "their own moment to shine", as Krista so sweetly stated.  What a great addition to her resume`-- and let me tell you, this girl can KICK.  I loved meeting Krista and watching her slither up to Brighton onstage. Brava!  (Thank you Tim and James for the hook-up!)

The 90-minute show felt like 15 minutes.  I didn't want it to end.  However, I was indeed lucky enough to have been given backstage and green room privileges, thanks to the wonderful staff at the Admiral Theater, which I certainly took advantage of...take a look!

DivaJulia and David Brighton/BOWIE (Notice HIS EYES.)

Chatting after the show...

Bloody perfect. (My Tom Ford lipstick kiss on David's cheek.) Photo: jaBrink

Ahh, yes. The red shoes.

To my SoCal friends--especially y'all in Ventura County:  LISTEN UP.

All I can say, is you better GO.