Promodoro tribute series: Made to honour
Tribute entertainment comes to Lahore as Julia Martin kick-starts her three-day show.
LAHORE:
The audience became nostalgic as British singer Julia Martin launched her three-day exclusive tribute series with a Tina Turner show on June 30, at Ciro’s Pomodoro restaurant in Lahore.
Martin strutted her stuff in glittery outfits while singing some of Turner’s most popular songs for the audience, which was seen singing along to classic hits such as “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Simply The Best”.
Martin’s show featured multiple outfits, emulating those worn by the iconic American singer and actor.
The artist, who has sung to over 25,000 people in her past shows, started paying homage to singers when she was in her 30s. Now after 14 years in tribute entertainment, the singer has performed over 2,000 concerts across the world. Every year, Martin performs almost 200 concerts in places like Hong Kong, Dubai and Europe in which she pays tribute to legendary artists.
The concept of tribute performances has developed a niche segment in England, where such shows became popular by featuring major artists and bands like the Beatles in the 60s and 70s. The distinguishing aspect of tribute acts is that, other than imitating the voice, the performers also emulate the overall persona through the celebrities’ famous outfits and signature style.
“Tribute music is very ‘in’ in England,” explains Martin. “You have to portray the look and persona of the artists on stage for people who can’t see those iconic singers in their own concerts.”
Martin arrived in Pakistan this week after Ciro Orsini, the owner of Ciro’s Pomodoro, convinced her to visit Lahore. While doing a radio show in the city, Martin decided to help the local children by giving all the proceeds from her original song “Your Voice” to Pakistani charity CARE, which runs schools for disabled children.
“With music, I found that I am able to help people,” said Martin, who has a 17-year-old autistic child. “I had written the single two years ago and when I went out in town (Lahore), it hit me how much I could help Pakistan.”
The single will be available at the restaurant and can also be accessed via the internet. Martin said that she was still working out the release details, as the decision to dedicate the song to charity came without prior planning. The artist believes that the people will relate to her song as its lyrics are based on the universal themes of hope and understanding.
During her stay in Lahore, Martin has been travelling through major areas of the city. She said that witnessing poverty and her interactions with the locals had been a profound experience.
“I have loved Lahore. The people are very humble and gentle,” said Martin. “I think, the media abroad needs to portray Pakistan in a more positive manner”, Martin added.
In her remaining two performances, Martin is scheduled to commemorate Celine Dion and Madonna.
Solo tribute shows by Julia Martin
Shirley Bassey
Madonna
Celine Dion
Tina Turner
Ready Steady 60s Show
Rock ‘n’ Bop 50s Show
Ladies of Swing
CarWash Tribute
Julia’s Christmas Party Night
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2011.
The audience became nostalgic as British singer Julia Martin launched her three-day exclusive tribute series with a Tina Turner show on June 30, at Ciro’s Pomodoro restaurant in Lahore.
Martin strutted her stuff in glittery outfits while singing some of Turner’s most popular songs for the audience, which was seen singing along to classic hits such as “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “Simply The Best”.
Martin’s show featured multiple outfits, emulating those worn by the iconic American singer and actor.
The artist, who has sung to over 25,000 people in her past shows, started paying homage to singers when she was in her 30s. Now after 14 years in tribute entertainment, the singer has performed over 2,000 concerts across the world. Every year, Martin performs almost 200 concerts in places like Hong Kong, Dubai and Europe in which she pays tribute to legendary artists.
The concept of tribute performances has developed a niche segment in England, where such shows became popular by featuring major artists and bands like the Beatles in the 60s and 70s. The distinguishing aspect of tribute acts is that, other than imitating the voice, the performers also emulate the overall persona through the celebrities’ famous outfits and signature style.
“Tribute music is very ‘in’ in England,” explains Martin. “You have to portray the look and persona of the artists on stage for people who can’t see those iconic singers in their own concerts.”
Martin arrived in Pakistan this week after Ciro Orsini, the owner of Ciro’s Pomodoro, convinced her to visit Lahore. While doing a radio show in the city, Martin decided to help the local children by giving all the proceeds from her original song “Your Voice” to Pakistani charity CARE, which runs schools for disabled children.
“With music, I found that I am able to help people,” said Martin, who has a 17-year-old autistic child. “I had written the single two years ago and when I went out in town (Lahore), it hit me how much I could help Pakistan.”
The single will be available at the restaurant and can also be accessed via the internet. Martin said that she was still working out the release details, as the decision to dedicate the song to charity came without prior planning. The artist believes that the people will relate to her song as its lyrics are based on the universal themes of hope and understanding.
During her stay in Lahore, Martin has been travelling through major areas of the city. She said that witnessing poverty and her interactions with the locals had been a profound experience.
“I have loved Lahore. The people are very humble and gentle,” said Martin. “I think, the media abroad needs to portray Pakistan in a more positive manner”, Martin added.
In her remaining two performances, Martin is scheduled to commemorate Celine Dion and Madonna.
Solo tribute shows by Julia Martin
Shirley Bassey
Madonna
Celine Dion
Tina Turner
Ready Steady 60s Show
Rock ‘n’ Bop 50s Show
Ladies of Swing
CarWash Tribute
Julia’s Christmas Party Night
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2011.