Live Review: Pentatonix

Pentatonix + Samantha Jade

Entertainment Centre Theatre, Wednesday February 19^th, 2020

(Reviewed by John Glennie)

Pentatonix (‘PTX’) is an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, consisting of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. Characterised by pop-style arrangements with vocal harmonies, basslines, riffing, percussion, and beatboxing, they produce cover versions of modern pop or Christmas songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, along with original material. Pentatonix formed in 2011 and subsequently won the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, receiving $200,000 and a recording contract.Kirstin MaldonadoPentatonix (‘PTX’) is an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas, consisting of vocalists Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee. Characterised by pop-style arrangements with vocal harmonies, basslines, riffing, percussion, and beatboxing, they produce cover versions of modern pop or Christmas songs, sometimes in the form of medleys, along with original material. Pentatonix formed in 2011 and subsequently won the third season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, receiving $200,000 and a recording contract.

The capacity crowd were treated to an introductory set by Samantha Jade – a beautiful little lady with a huge voice, and winner of 2012’s X-Factor. She performed excellent covers as well as original material and was accompanied by two backup singers, a guitarist and cajon box drum (I think that’s what it’s called!). She had some of the crowd up and dancing for the last few tracks. A  great start to a great evening of music.

The crowd went nuts when Pentatonix hit the stage with Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’. Their incredible harmonies and percussion sounds were flawless from the outset. Because they have produced so many songs over their 8+ year history they presented us with several medleys from their EPs and albums. The visual effects on the full-size screen at the back of the stage were amazing and very professional.

Scott Hoying related that when they originally formed as a trio (with Mitch and Kirstin) they wanted to compete in Sing-Off but needed to be a minimum of 5 members so they added Avi Kaplan (who left the group in 2017) but needed a beatboxer. Scott found Kevin Olusola playing cello and doing beatbox on YouTube and contacted him to ask if he would like to join the group. Kevin initially declined as he was studying for Medical exams at Yale! However 2 weeks later he called to say he was coming – and the rest is history. As Scott says, wonder how his parents felt – not a doctor but a beatboxer in a group!!

Kevin then performed a sensational solo of the Game of Thrones theme song with his cello (the only instrument for the gig) and his incredible voice. He continued with the cello for the next track with the whole group joining him for a beautiful ballad (sorry, don’t know the name!). They did a stirring rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ which was one of the highlights of the show.

Scott thanked Australian crowds for their warmth and friendliness and how it makes them feel at home, which was a segue into ‘On My Way Home’.  Towards the end of the set PTX gave us ‘La La Latch’ and, what I was waiting for, Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ – and, again, a superb version.

After a brief interlude Pentatonix returned for an encore comprising an original ‘Na Na Na’ and they saved the best for last … Leonard Cohen’s classic “Hallelujah’.

Pentatonix are a very polished outfit with incredible harmonies and vocal “instrumentals”. An excellent evening of live music from both Samantha Jade and Pentatonix. Personally I would have preferred full versions of their better songs and fewer medleys, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the show!