Photo credit: Shutter Studios- Left to Right: Mark Dunn, Leisa Way, John Collin, Jerome Ransom, Bruce Ley, Jeremy Fox
I went into Get Down Tonight: The Ultimate 70’s Soundtrack with high expectations.
After seeing Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band perform Opry Gold at Port Stanley Festival Theatre last summer, I knew the talent would be there. What I didn’t expect was just how much fun I’d have spending an evening immersed in music from a decade I never experienced firsthand.
Full transparency: I wasn’t alive in the 1970s — or the 1980s, for that matter.
As someone who expected to recognize only a handful of songs, I was pleasantly surprised. The show’s setlist is packed with hits that have stood the test of time, creating a musical journey that resonates just as strongly with younger audience members as it does with those who grew up in the era. More often than not, I found myself singing along to songs I didn’t even realize I knew.
The performance itself is polished and energetic from start to finish. Having previously seen Mark Dunn (bass, lead vocals) and Bruce Ley (piano, guitar, vocals) perform, I knew what to expect from their musicianship. However, this was my first time seeing Jeremy Fox (lead guitar/vocals), Jerome Ransome (lead vocals), and John Collin (drums) with the group.
When Way shared that Fox and Ransome had only been performing with the band for about two weeks, it was genuinely hard to believe. The chemistry between the performers feels effortless. Their transitions, harmonies, comedic exchanges, and stage presence all suggest a group that has been performing together for years.
Another highlight is the show’s costume changes. Throughout the evening, performers disappear briefly backstage and return transformed into another musical icon or style from the decade. These visual touches help bring the era to life and add another layer of entertainment beyond the music itself.
What impressed me most, however, was how each member of the band is given an opportunity to shine. Rather than centering the spotlight on a single performer, Way makes a point of introducing the musicians, sharing pieces of their stories, and allowing audiences to take in their individual talents and personalities.
I also found myself appreciating Port Stanley Festival Theatre’s no-photo, no-video policy. In a world where many concerts are viewed through phone screens, there was something refreshing about watching an audience simply enjoy the performance in the moment.
Whether you grew up with these songs or are discovering them decades later, Get Down Tonight is a lively, feel-good celebration of music that continues to stand the test of time.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
Please note that the views expressed in this piece are based on my own experience and opinion
