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★★★★★Michelle McManus and Anna Welander’s Talk About Pop Music landed at The Stand with the kind of energy that fills a room before the show even starts. By the time the lights dipped, the place was already packed wall‑to‑wall with people clearly ready for a good time — and McManus delivered exactly that. She launched straight into a run of pop classics, belting them out with the confidence and warmth that have made her a favourite with Scottish audiences for years.
The show isn’t just a concert; it’s a pop‑culture hangout. Visual nods to Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey and the Spice Girls flashed up throughout, giving the hour a playful nostalgia that had the crowd grinning. These references weren’t thrown in for decoration — they were part of the rhythm of the show, little sparks that kept the audience buzzing between songs.
Pairing McManus with Anna Welander was a smart move. Their chemistry made the whole thing feel conversational, almost like you’d stumbled into a lively living‑room debate about who really deserved the crown of pop royalty. Welander kept the pace tight and the tone cheeky, and the pop quizzes they tossed out were a genuine hit. People weren’t just watching; they were shouting answers, laughing at their own wrong guesses, and leaning into the fun.
Then came the surprise guest: Glasgow comedian Susan McCabe. She bounded onstage and immediately had the room howling. Her appearance wasn’t long, but it was sharp, loud, and perfectly timed — the kind of cameo that lifts a show from enjoyable to memorable.
If you’re looking for something that lets you switch off, sing along, dance a bit in your seat, and remember why pop music is such a joy, this is the one to pencil into your Fringe diary. It’s an hour of pure fun — unpretentious, upbeat, and packed with the kind of nostalgia that makes you smile long after you’ve left the venue.
Reviewed by Jacqueline Sharp
