Tribute act brings show to ‘home of Beatlemania’

WHEN Beatles t r ibute band Across The Universe formed in March 2023, they could never have predicted their first gig would coincide with a No 1 hit from their idols.

So when the real deal released Now And Then the week of their debut performance, lead singer Graeme Quinn put it down to fate.

“There was this very long lead-up from us forming in March to playing our first show last November,” explains Graeme, 35.

“Then, all of a sudden, we’re playing our first show and The Beatles are back at No 1 out of nowhere with their first single in well over 50 years. It feels meant to be.”

Now, in a second show of serendipity, Across The Universe are bringing their “studio years” Beatles tribute to Dundee in the same week the documentary Let It Be is set to hit streaming service Disney+.

So Graeme and the other band members – including former Be Charlotte drummer David Calder – are expecting a bit of Beatlemania at the gig.

“I’ve been told by some of my Dundonian family members that Dundee is the place where the word ‘Beatlemania’ was coined,” says Graeme ahead of the show. “So we’re expecting an enthusiastic crowd.”

With a mission to be all about the music, Across The Universe brings to life the Fab Four’s intricate studio arrangements from 1966 to 1970 on stage. Unlike a typical tribute band – which would have an assigned John, Paul, George and Ringo – Across The Universe has 20 musicians on stage to do justice to these “complicated” arrangements.

They are, Graeme explains, a combo of eight professional band musicians and 12 “world-class” orchestral musicians from the likes of the RSNO and Royal Ballet.

“The quality of musician we’ve got on stage in our orchestra – you’re talking about world-class musicians – means you get all that detail and accuracy from them, and then you have us, the band, giving that live passion and performance up the front.”

It’s clear when he speaks that Graeme’s a passionate performer – his love for the songs he’s singing is palpable.

“Playing the song Eleanor Rigby live is just a beautiful experience,” he says.

“There’s something about feeling that music.”

The response the Glasgow-based tribute band have had so far has been encouraging, with generations coming together to enjoy some of their shared favourite songs.

“We had someone who had come with their uncle, who was in his 80s, and their young son as well, all enjoying the show. It’s a beautiful thing,” said Graeme.

And the group themselves span multiple generations, with their oldest aged 59 and their youngest in his early 20s.

“Their music is so embedded in our culture,” he observes.

“I think everybody starts off with an appreciation of The Beatles.”

Despite not having assigned roles, singer Graeme finds he has an affinity with George Harrison.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for George Harrison. He was a beautiful soul.”

Across The Universe play Dundee’s Gardyne Theatre on May 6. Tickets available from from Dundee City Box Office.