The Blue Man Group perform at Birmingham ICC
Birmingham’s Second City status often gets overlooked by concert promoters, so when the Blue Man Group opened at the ICC this week for the only UK dates on its current world tour, it will be a significant coup.
Blue Man Group was formed in 1991, when Matt Goldman, Phil Stanton and Chris Wink created a quirky character called Blue Man for an off-Broadway show in New York. It grew into an international phenomenon and, in addition to its global touring show, Blue Man Group has five permanent productions in the US and another in Germany.
This series of shows will be Blue Man Group’s first visit to the UK since 2009, so what could it be about this phenomenon that has grabbed audiences around the world during the group’s tour over the past 18 months?
“No one knows for sure why people come so often, but I think one of the reasons would probably be [that], when the show works, it brings you to a genuine emotional state that you want over and over again,” says Matt.
While the idea of watching a performance by three men daubed in blue paint might appear somewhat avant-garde, it’s an exhilarating experience that is more akin to the world of rock‘n’roll, full of evocative sounds and stunning backdrops.
“It’s only rock concerts where there’s no fourth wall, so one of our original concepts very early on was, ‘let’s destroy that barrier between audience and performer,’” says Phil.
But in place of mosh pits and swaying crowds, Blue Man Group has come up with the poncho section, with all tickets coming with a complimentary plastic raincoat.
“There’s a lot of crazy things happening on stage and some inadvertent splatter,” adds Matt.
l Blue Man Group at The ICC Hall runs from now until January 6.
By Steve Taylor
