Steps

From the moment the lights dimmed in the Brighton Centre to their final wave there was little doubting that Steps were back – and how. Opening with spectacular graphics and lights, dancers abseiled down the screen to release them form the cryogenic pods that held them in stasis since their split. The first part of the set was sci-fi techno powered disco pop at a volume that would have suited Motorhead, but it had the capacity crowd dancing like loons.

From then on it was a no holds barred assault that used just about every stage effect possible – and to great effect. There were a few minor glitches and a few clunky pauses between numbers but no one seemed to mind.

Nor did they seem to mind that there was no band but simply a backing track, on which I suspect there was quite a lot of the vocal. It didn’t matter. They were dancing their little socks off and, for the most part, keeping up with the excellent dance troupe of five boys and five girls. In fact it was they that looked out of place when they had to deal with the less demanding ‘Steps’ steps that are an essential part of the act.

In the solo section H excelled with a rigorous number in which he danced with a screen image that he interacted with flawlessly. Claire belted out a belting solo too, but her wardrobe at times verged on the cruel – emerald green sequins with orange boots? I ask you?

And of course there were all the hits, after all they are a hit machine so what else would they do. With a number one album in the charts and a sell out arena tour, Steps are back.

Brighton Centre, 17 April 2012

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