Valentine's Comedy & Loversrock @ Hackney Empire

Upon arrival at the Hackney Empire, one of those glamorous London theatre halls from the Victorian era, it becomes immediately apparent that the dress code for a loversrock event differs just a little from a normal reggae concert. The many fur coats are still there, but times change and these days most real "furs" have been replaced by fake ones. No ital food to be found here either, instead there's a stand with hair products (and a free sample provided on every seat).

We still have to wait a while for that dose of loversrock, because for the first half of this show, the comedians are at bat. The night is hosted by Wayne 'Dibbi' Rollins, Bayan hostess with the mostess and with her/his dancehall queen travesty act a real hype in the UK Caribbean community.

Yours truly still remembers the next two comedians, Felix Dexter and Mr Fraser, from The Real McCoy, a BBC sketch show from the early nineties. Back then, we cried with laughter and tonight is no different!

And then finally: music time! Minor disappointment: the stage remains suspiciously empty as there won't be a band playing tonight. First up is Carroll Thompson who opens with 'Hooked On You'. Surprisingly, the audience remains firmly in their seats, but sing along at the top of their lungs when asked. The absolute hit-song 'I'm So Sorry' follows, and then, with 'Hopelesly In Love', the title song from her 1981 album with the same name (just recently re-released by Soul Jazz Records), which she dedicates to the "veteran lovers"present, Carroll has to end her set already.

Second up is Michael Gordon, former vocalist of the Investigators, a band yours truly - although an avid loversrock fan - honestly had never heard of before. Gordon first presents us his new single 'It's All About You', an instant classic over The Heptones' Party Time riddim, followed by 'Baby I'm Yours' and 'Turn Out The Lights', the two greatest hits by Investigators. Revelation!

Janet Kay does not need any further introduction; this queen of loversrock is the only one who scored a worldwide hit with her song 'Silly Games'. Queen Janet chooses 'Sweet Love', an Anita Baker cover as her opening song, followed by 'You Bring The Sun Out'. For the inevitable 'Silly Games', Janet decides to call on the audience and promises a copy of her most recent hit-compilation to the best voice present. For the first time this evening the whole Hackney Empire gets up from their seats!

It's up to Sandra Cross to close the night and she immediately impresses with a sensual performance of 'I Adore You' (the microphone standard is still glowing). For her second song, Cross surprisingly chooses Bob Marley's 'Put It On', which, in her loversrock version, sounds completely different. Sandra's greatest hit was 'Country Living', a cover of a song by Mighty Diamonds and an excellent ending to a valentine's evening that drew to an end far too quickly. 

Was this the best concert we ever saw? Certainly not (a real concert simply begs for musicians on stage)! Was this an outright wonderful evening? You better believe it! Loversrock rocks!