And now for something completely different…
I am generally known for my love of metal but when I got the email to review and photograph Diversity at the Motorpoint Arena I thought, that’s an experience I can’t turn down. Thinking it would be funny, I took myself along; it’s nice when you are pleasantly surprised.
The evening started off, for me, as usual for any arena gig with the walk from the bus to the venue. What struck me, and it seems obvious now, was the younger audience that these guys attract. It was all a bit different to what I am used to. But that is the point of the night, new experiences and all.
The support act, Bars & Melody took to the stage affront a large black curtain hiding Diversity’s stage set. This duo was formerly on Britain’s got Talent (2014), as they said ‘it was a few years ago but we’re still going’. They performed confidently and held the crowds’ attention well, particularly when you consider that they had no stage set.
After an incredibly short ten-minute break, Diversity’s introduction video came on and set the story; a sort of apocalypse atmosphere where they were fighting a darker force. A short routine, mixed with the audience walk-around, proceeded a video explaining more of the back story to do with the team’s special powers; air, strength, speed, fire…you get the idea; they are the protectors.
The group performed their routines well throughout and the intensity built and continued to build until the interval; where the group had a realisation that they had the power to defeat the destroyer all along. The stage show, with the voice over narration, was enough to keep the audience and me engaged. The story and the choreography seemed, to my untrained eye, to be very crisp.
After the interval, the second act concluded the story as you would hope and expect. To sum up, the experience was an entertaining night, which would suit all ages. I would recommend this event, or ones similar to most people; you would know if it was not for you. I am by no means a convert from my preferred genre but they do say new experiences stimulate brain cells so if I grew some grey matter whilst here all the better.
Words and photos Chris Marsh
