The Village People Celebrate 35th Anniversary with One Show Only
Turns out you really
can't stop the music. Today brings news that the Village People will celebrate their 35th year of being gloriously discotastic with one, and only one, Australian show - Melbourne's Palais Theatre will host the six aged (but just as outrageous) men on November 24. So that’s four months you have, dear readers, to rediscover your inner cop. Or red indian. Or cowboy. Or maybe that sequinned crop top of your sister's that glints so deliciously at the back of your wardrobe, just begging to be writhed around in to the opening strains of 'In The Navy'.
If you’re reading this and you’re between the ages of 20-40, then the Village People probably changed your life more than you realise. In our haze of excitement and sequins and trawling of Youtube videos, it’s become clear how they’ve laid new ground for many over the years. Let us explain...
If you’re an all-male amateur band, probably named 'The [insert collective noun here]', then they probably paved the way for you. Claim as you might that the Beatles are the original boy band, let’s face it: your band is less Fab Four and more just fab. You probably wear novelty headpieces and really low-cut shirts and tighter jeans than Russell Brand and you do it all ironically, but lets not forget the original display of self-aware fabulousness.
Straight white male who hits up Chapel Street on a Friday night? You can dance if you want to, and leave your friends behind. And aside from the good old 'step clap step clap', the 'I can make a box with my hands' and the 'fist pump times infinity' it's likely that at some point during your grand club dancing career you’ve pulled out the good old YMCA. Voila! Something to do with your arms so they don’t just dangle! There aren't many men amongst us who haven’t found the four letters to be a saving grace in the darkened, Mishka-sodden world of Friday nights.
If you’ve had a long distance relationship at any time, chances are you know how frustrating they can get. Especially when it’s winter, and all your friends are paired off and busy with their respective partners doing wholesome things like making soup and having lots of hot torrid sex. The Village People ensured you weren’t stuck at home, salivating on your lonesome over movies like
Crazy Stupid Love (goddamn you, Gosling). They spread the word about phone sex, and while we’re hoping your phone is mobile and you have less bandanas and body hair while you’re going at it, we’re also pretty sure you have the Village People to thank for the maintenance of your sex life.
Finally, there’s no denying the megascale of the Village People's influence when it comes to gay icons. Sure, we have Lady Gaga these days, but she seems to be a little too busy being born repeatedly on stage and doing her bit for carnivores. The Village People, on the other hand, made it okay to jump around in tight clothes with a bunch of guy mates, fantasy role-playing and showing their acceptance of all types. They’re still headlining at gay pride events around the world, and we can't wait for them to grind up the Palais for one night only in November. Go, even if you can’t quite remember what YMCA stands for - your arms will remember how to form the letters all by themselves.
The Village People play the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on Saturday 24 November. Support acts are yet to be announced, but tickets go on sale Monday 30 July at 9am through
Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster pre-sale will also be available from Monday 23 July to Sunday 29 July.
WORDS: Katherine Hayes