Out of the Blue

Throughout August, the Fringe is a hive of musical acts working in otherwise under-represented genres. And if a capella is one such genre, Out of the Blue are certainly its stars. A cappella music—that is, vocal music—has long been an American institution. But events such as the release of last year's Hollywood dramatisation of the world of US collegiate a cappella, Pitch Perfect, and Out of the Blue's recent foray into the world of prime-time TV (they made the live finals of Britain's Got Talent's fifth series) have helped its repute rise dramatically.

But if ‘all vocals’ still makes you think of church choristers, think again. This afternoon, the boys—wholesome, suited, well-to-do types who couldn't upset even the most sensitive of onlookers—pull together a setlist of recent chart hits and camp classics, from Bastille's ‘Pompeii’ to Wham's ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’. The choreographed numbers exploit those inevitable camp overtones to hilarious comic effect—nobody can help themselves from cracking a smile at their rendition of The Human League's ‘Don't You Want Me’. But elsewhere, more static performances—Adele's ‘Skyfall’ and Kings of Leon's ‘Use Somebody’—draw focus to individual members' talents, while still showcasing the group's technical prowess.

When it comes to a cappella at the Fringe, Out of the Blue are an obvious choice. This is the group's tenth consecutive year at the festival, and while the personnel may have changed, the quality is as reliable as ever.