Review: HOT DUB TIME MACHINE, Latitude Festival

"If I could turn back time, if I could find a way..." Well, now you can. Hot Dub Time Machine is a touring musical event of theatrical proportions, bringing the songs of yesteryear into the 21st century through DJ-ing and digital media.

Join DJ Hot Dub, aka Tom Loud, on a magical, mystery (musical) tour through time. Travelling back into the far reach of the sixties and beyond, songs are played for each year you pass, pit-stops as you make your way back to the future. The machine is powered by dancing and singing along, so enjoy the ride from cheesy pop to rock and everything in between.

Playing in the Comedy Tent at Latitude Festival, I was amused at this location for this type of show. It soon made perfect sense. This venue is one of the larger arenas, and more and more people joined the party as the night went on. The phrase "standing room only" comes to mind, except no-one was sitting. Hot Dub Time Machine makes you want to jump up, jump up, and (not) get down.

The very mood of the show fits this space too. The whole experience is joyous: whether you're dancing in the moonlight with a stranger, or laughing at a friend who knows all the words to "Ice Ice Baby", you'll have a smile on your face. Audiences across the world are sharing the love too. Having previously played Coachella and thrilled over 16,000 at last year's Edinburgh Fringe, the show is no stranger to festivals.

Tom Loud keeps the show on track as he DJs in live time, reading the room incredibly well. Some songs are swapped seamlessly and subtly, others left to run their course such as the ever popular Spice Girls. Taking directions implicitly from the audience, no show is ever the same because no audience is ever the same.

But Hot Dub Time Machine is not just an experience for fans of music. Visuals form a crucial part of the staging. As Loud stands centre stage, screens on either side of him display digital content. Lulu Loud, aka Alexandra Plim, is the Hot Dub Cabin Attendant for the flight and a Time Lord herself. Appearing on the screen in short bursts, she gives instructions, warnings and helps audience members who may be a little lost with lyrics. It's good fun and a nice touch, but I feel this character could be utilised with better effect.

Hot Dub Time Machine is a great night out, doing what we all secretly do on nights in: singing and dancing along to our favourite songs from yesteryear. It's the closest thing to the "Time Warp" you'll get!

Hot Dub Time Machine tours the UK

Picture Source: Latitude

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