Given it’s their twenty-first Fringe, it’s only to be expected that Out of the Blue know what they’re doing. That said, it’s an a cappella group that, on account of it being a University of Oxford society, changes members every year, though it seems to me that they build on previous successes. Their brand identity is very strong – the only other group I’ve seen at Fringe 2025 dressed in jackets and ties are a trio of pensionable age – though OOTB, as they are known to their fans and followers, are shoeless for their performances, presumably to facilitate their choreographed movements. I do mean ‘shoeless’, not ‘barefoot’ – if you really must know, they wear socks. The dancing isn’t bad, but it isn’t as well-drilled as it could be, and it seemed to me that their audition process is focused on the ability to sing more than anything else. Which is fair enough for a vocal harmony group.
The focus here is on chart music, but with everything live, including almost relentless beatboxing from Sam Phillips, the concert has an acoustic feel to it. Stripped back, however, is to misunderstand OOTB – they’ve (sort of) got the moves, they’ve got the lighting effects going on, and above all, they are having themselves a good time, which rubs off on the audience. I was rather impressed by a medley incorporating the Beyonce tune ‘Crazy in Love’ with the Gnarls Barkley song ‘Crazy’. Their rendering of Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ was the sort of exuberant and energetic performance that befits youthful vibrance. But they also make forays into softer forms of music, such as a Billie Eilish number (yes, I had to ask a fellow audience member who told me the song was called ‘when the party’s over’ – the title is, I am reliably informed, styled entirely in lowercase). I have never been up to speed with chart music, so I was grateful for a brief foray into musical theatre.
Toxic masculinity has been a topic of discussion in certain comedy and spoken word shows at the Fringe for some years now. OOTB are, whether they realise it or not, contributors to this discussion. By providing such slick, wholesome and delightful performances year after year, they demonstrate that it’s perfectly possible to ‘live, laugh, love’ without dragging anyone down. Here’s to another twenty-one years of this delightful and heartwarming show.
Review by Chris Omaweng
Following their fan-favourite run at the Fringe last year, OOTB are back again for their 21st year with tighter harmonies, crazier choreography and enough high notes to reach the stratosphere! Out of the Blue is an internationally acclaimed a cappella group from the University of Oxford and, after jet-setting across the world earlier this year, the group is excited to return to their home turf to showcase new talent and new songs. Don’t miss your chance to see these singers in action for an hour of incredible music with something for everyone!
Sam Phillips (vocal percussion/tenor 2), Thomas Wong (bass), Will Iboshi (baritone), Will Jacobs (tenor 2), Mars Proppé (tenor 1), Ronav Jain (tenor 1), Nic Ong (business manager, tenor 2), Angus Collingridge-Watt (social secretary, baritone), James Pearson (music director, tenor 1), Ben Reddy (co-president, tenor 2), Teddy Onslow (co-president, baritone), Tristan Hood (tenor 2), Henry Nurse (bass), Theo Young (tenor 1 and 2)
Choreographer: Ameleah ‘Mimi’ Nanud
OUT OF THE BLUE
Assembly George Square at the Edinburgh Fringe
1 to 25 August 2025
