Original member Michael Clift performs as eldest Gibb brother Barry and has done since 1996. He says the tribute act has been based at the Excalibur Hotel for the past seven years and they are currently negotiating to re-sign. “The numbers are still there, it’s a mutual thing economically. We do a new show every few years to keep it fresh.”

This Saturday Night Fever 40^th anniversary tour is a bit of a break from the seven night a week grind of the Vegas shows, but Clift says in some respects touring is more hectic. “We rotate out with subs on the seventh night [in Vegas] and just have to turn up and plug in our instruments. On tour we are sound checking every day and setting up in a new venue.” But he says it’s a nice balance and it’s great to come back to Australia to catch up with family and friends. The lads have made many friends here and around the world, having toured in more than 50 countries in the past 21 years. 

This Down Under tour is five weeks, but all they bring with them is their costumes and guitars. They keep a warehouse full of whatever else is needed for the show, and pick up Australian musicians who work with them on a regular basis because they tour here so often.

The whole show is performed in character, with the mannerisms, vocabulary, speech patters and vocals all based on careful study of each of the Gibb brothers. “We have developed a comfortable patter now and while we are on stage it is as if we are them,” Clift says.

With the anniversary of the movie that lifted the music of the Bee Gees into the stratosphere, the impetus to tour was enormous. Clift says it’s unbelievable how influential the music from the movie starring John Travolta was. “Nostalgia is very important to people.” He says the brothers were great songwriters and this elevated them above and beyond the image. “They were able to jump from one decade to the next because they evolved as writers and people. The next step was as producers for other artists and in the 90s they became cool again.”

Clift says their audiences are evolving from the older demographic in Vegas to younger couples and teenagers. “With events like the Grammy tribute and young artists covering their music, people are rediscovering their music. But we do the old friend version. We’re very particular with the harmonies and pay massive attention to the arrangements.” 

Original member Wayne Hosking (Maurice) and Melbourne based Paul Lines (Robin), drummer Robbie Parolin and bass player Paul Miller complete the group who will perform about 26 songs plus a couple of medleys at the Glasshouse on August 24 at 8pm. Tickets are $52.50 –$57.50 and available at the box office or online.