In the dripping, low-ceilinged bunker that is Bannerman’s, sense goes out the window and sheer daft brilliance takes its place. Tragedy are a Bee Gees tribute act, except they aren’t — they’re a heavy-metal, glitter-soaked, falsetto-flinging monster that defies explanation but makes absolute sense once you’re in the room. They shouldn’t exist, but thank god they do.

They kick off with Tragedy itself — all poise, piss, and ridiculousness — before detonating into Lay All Your Love on Me, which somehow splices ABBA with Iron Maiden’s The Trooper and a splash of Limp Bizkit. It’s as bonkers as it sounds, and it absolutely slays. I’m So Excited keeps the energy peaking, Disco Mountain Man leading the charge as the crowd turns Bannerman’s into a hard-rock hoedown.

From there it’s a relentless carnival: Fame with Faith No More swagger, a Judas Priest-flavoured Country Roads, Poison’s mascara-dripping version of 9 to 5, and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline reborn as a Ghost parody. Badfinger’s Without You (I Can’t Live) even outshines the original, while Metallica-ish take on It’s Raining Men is as ludicrous as it is glorious. The finale mash-up is peak Tragedy: YMCA colliding with Kiss’s disco opus I Was Made for Lovin’ You and a slice of Aerosmith, all fists in the air and devil horns flashing.

The band are tight, too — this isn’t novelty karaoke, it’s serious musicianship disguised in sequins. In true rock-and-roll excess, the drummer finishes the set with bleeding nipples, which just about sums up the commitment levels.

On paper it could tip into Spinal Tap parody. In reality, it’s better than parody — it’s pure catharsis, a glam-metal fever dream that leaves you grinning, sweating, and wondering what just happened. One of the most joyfully deranged nights you’ll find at the Fringe.

 ****

Reviewed by Steve H

Venue : Bannerman’s

Time 20.00

Until date 18th Aug