Postmodern Jukebox

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox has spent well over a decade turning modern music completely on its head. Founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee back in 2010, the collective built its reputation through reimagining contemporary hits in the styles of decades gone by. Chart music and favourites from yesteryear are turned into jazz, swing and big band spectaculars inspired by the golden eras of music history. What began as online videos recorded in a basement has since evolved into a worldwide phenomenon, with billions of views and sold-out performances across some of the world’s most prestigious venues. Yet despite the scale the project has reached, the heart of Postmodern Jukebox remains the same. It is a celebration of timeless music, live performance and the creativity that comes from giving familiar songs entirely new identities.

That spirit sits at the centre of their current ‘The Future Is Vintage’ World Tour, which rolled into Cambridge Corn Exchange last night for an evening that felt less like a traditional concert and more like stepping into a musical time machine. The tour itself acts as both a love letter to the sounds of the past and a reminder of the uniquely human magic that live music can create.  The atmosphere inside the Corn Exchange captured that perfectly. Long before the band even took to the stage, the packed audience had already embraced the spirit of the night, with vintage inspired outfits scattered throughout the venue and an excited buzz building across the room. 

From the moment the band launched into a roaring rendition of ‘Hotel California’, the tone for the evening was immediately set. Leading the night was the endlessly charismatic Rogelio Douglas Jr., who served not only as one of the evening’s vocalists but also as master of ceremonies throughout. Douglas Jr. had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the outset, balancing effortless humour with commanding stage presence and powerhouse vocals. As the performance unfolded, he was joined by dancer Demi Remick, whose appearances throughout the evening quickly became one of the show’s most memorable elements.

Remick was far more than simply a backing dancer. At times she added extra flair to the performances around her, but in many moments, she became the focal point herself. Her tap dancing often acted as the lead instrumental line within songs, turning rhythm into melody in a way that felt genuinely astonishing to watch live. Whether delivering slick routines during ensemble numbers or taking centre stage for full solo showcases, every appearance brought a mixture of technical brilliance and playful comedy. The ‘Super Mario Bros. Tap Dance Medley’ in particular was a huge crowd pleaser, blending intricate footwork with hilarious visual gags based off the beloved game such as collecting coins and powering up through shots.

As the opening number came to a close, Douglas Jr. began introducing the other vocalists joining Postmodern Jukebox on the night, each bringing their own completely distinct style and personality to the stage. The first to take to the stage was Katerina Lomis, currently making her debut tour with Postmodern Jukebox, though you would never have guessed it. From the opening notes of ‘Thank You for the Music’, Lomis sounded completely at home within the PMJ world, bringing a warm vintage tone that instantly transported the Corn Exchange back several decades. Later in the night, her haunting rendition of ‘Red Right Hand’ created one of the evening’s most atmospheric moments, filled with tension and theatricality.

Lomis was then followed by Tatum Langley, who fully embodied the style and spirit of the music she performed, leaning into the theatrical swing and vintage flair with complete confidence. Her rendition of ‘Copacabana’ was packed with personality and even moments of physical comedy alongside Demi Remick, while a later performance of ‘Die for You’ showcased a completely different side to her vocals. The song was genuinely moving, with a vocal control and warmth that held the room completely still. Langley brought a theatrical charm to every moment she stepped on stage, fully embracing the full emotional spectrum of the evening.

Then came Effie Passero, whose arrival instantly shifted the scale of the room. From the opening moments of ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’, it became obvious the audience were witnessing a vocal powerhouse. Passero delivered some of the night’s biggest moments, but it was her breathtaking rendition of My Chemical Romance’s ‘The Ghost of You’ that truly stunned the Corn Exchange audience. It was one of those performances where you could physically feel the atmosphere in the room change.

While each vocalist had standout solo moments across the evening, the true magic often came when they combined together. Numbers such as ‘Die With a Smile’ showcased harmonies that blended jazz, swing and soul influences into something genuinely spellbinding. The three voices complemented one another perfectly, creating layered moments that repeatedly drew huge reactions from the audience.