Slip into Adelaide’s vintage Regal Theatre and find yourself swept up in a Bowie-drenched fever dream. The Ashes to Ashes Band doesn’t just play, they conjure the wild pulse, glittering bravado and sonic alchemy of Bowie’s golden age. This is not a cardboard cut-out or a wistful glance backwards; it’s a living, breathing homage. Paul Matthews wields Bowie’s vocal gymnastics and magnetic stage presence with unflinching intensity, leaping from “Absolute Beginners” to “Let’s Dance” as if the Thin White Duke himself had slipped into his skin.

Forget lookalike gimmicks, the sound is spellbinding, the vibe infectious. Mark Hawkins’ sax shimmers, Cherie Moyle’s vocals swoop and soar, and the band thunders with glam-rock swagger, crackling like a disco wildfire. The stage glows with Bowie’s iconic imagery and surreal Ai visuals, amplifying a sense of otherworldly celebration. When “China Girl” kicks in, the crowd erupts, dancing, swaying, surrendering to the night which culminates in an encore with Matthews weaving among his fans, blurring the lines between stage and audience.

If there’s a slight quibble, it’s a craving for wilder costumes in the second act, yet the finale bursts with enough star power to hush any doubts. Ashes to Ashes doesn’t just pay tribute, they channel artistry and reverence, igniting Bowie’s legacy with an edgy, imaginative spark.

Missed them at Fringe? Their tour gives you another shot to tumble through Bowie’s universe, before it flickers away in a shower of stardust.