The 80's Theory - Function / Party Band | Northampton, East Midlands

Show Description

The 80’s Theory, strive to be one of the top 80’s function bands in the country, delivering a high quality, spellbinding performance for your special event. The band was formed by drummer, Ben McIlvenna and Guitarist, Jason Battershill, both accomplished and experienced musicians, they spent months combing the UK in search of the best session musicians to form their unique function band.
After months of auditions and hundreds of applicants for bass players and vocalists, they recruited Dawn Beckett, a power house vocalist with years of experience on the function scene. Dawn was once in ... a girl band signed by Pete Waterman, around the same time as the Spice Girls! “When Dawn came for her audition, she literally blew the roof off the studio, hitting notes ambitious for any singer, it was definitely one of those goose pimple moments! we hired her on the spot”. As well as Dawn’s voice, she brings the experience, professionalism and stamina that any band could hope for.
Following Dawn’s arrival, the band recruited Nick Prow on bass after the extensive search for a bass player talented enough, to take on the big and best of the 80’s. Like Dawn, Nick is an accomplished player, and having lived through the 80’s, Nick was the perfect fit for the band as his skill level and passion for the music was exactly what the band wanted.
From then on, the bands mission was to take on the biggest and best floor fillers from the 80’s era, bringing the big stage to your special event. The band spared no expense in time, production and top quality equipment, ensuring all the needs of the music were brought to a live audience, delivering a premier sound and a fun filled performance. The band uses all the latest music technology and instruments to accurately recreate all those synthy sounds and effects used throughout the era, and in doing so, never misses a beat!
The 80’s Theory’s extensive set comprises of songs by legendary artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Roxette, Belinda Carlisle, Tina Turner, Madonna, Michael Jackson and many more! The 80’s Theory work with various suppliers in the industry and can supply all the extras and finer details completing your event, from dance floors to dry ice machines.
The 80’s Theory are available for hire for Wedding receptions, Parties, Corporate events and Holiday Parks. Make your event, an 80’s hit! Read More

Set-List

Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler
Girls Just want to have fun - Cyndi Lauper
Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Like a Prayer - Madonna
Listen to you Heart - Roxette
I love Rock N' Roll - Joan Jett
The Loco-Motion - Kylie Minogue
Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston
(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
The Best - Tina Turner
Kids in America - Kim Wilde
Call Me - Blonde
I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters
Don't Stop me Now - Queen
Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen
Waiting for a Star to Fall - Boy Meets Girl
... Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
Heaven Is a place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle
We Built This City - Starship
If I could Turn Back Time - Cher
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
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Biography

The 80’s Theory, strive to be one of the top 80’s function bands in the country, delivering a high quality, spellbinding performance for your special event. The band was formed by drummer, Ben McIlvenna and Guitarist, Jason Battershill, both accomplished and experienced musicians, they spent months combing the UK in search of the best session musicians to form their unique function band.
After months of auditions and hundreds of applicants for bass players and vocalists, they recruited Dawn Beckett, a power house vocalist with years of experience on the function scene. Dawn was once in ... a girl band signed by Pete Waterman, around the same time as the Spice Girls! “When Dawn came for her audition, she literally blew the roof off the studio, hitting notes ambitious for any singer, it was definitely one of those goose pimple moments! we hired her on the spot”. As well as Dawn’s voice, she brings the experience, professionalism and stamina that any band could hope for.
Following Dawn’s arrival, the band recruited Nick Prow on bass after the extensive search for a bass player talented enough, to take on the big and best of the 80’s. Like Dawn, Nick is an accomplished player, and having lived through the 80’s, Nick was the perfect fit for the band as his skill level and passion for the music was exactly what the band wanted.
From then on, the bands mission was to take on the biggest and best floor fillers from the 80’s era, bringing the big stage to your special event. The band spared no expense in time, production and top quality equipment, ensuring all the needs of the music were brought to a live audience, delivering a premier sound and a fun filled performance. The band uses all the latest music technology and instruments to accurately recreate all those synthy sounds and effects used throughout the era, and in doing so, never misses a beat!
The 80’s Theory’s extensive set comprises of songs by legendary artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Roxette, Belinda Carlisle, Tina Turner, Madonna, Michael Jackson and many more! The 80’s Theory work with various suppliers in the industry and can supply all the extras and finer details completing your event, from dance floors to dry ice machines.
The 80’s Theory are available for hire for Wedding receptions, Parties, Corporate events and Holiday Parks. Make your event, an 80’s hit!
Dawn Beckett
Dawn is a power house vocalist with years of experience performing at a professional level. Her passion for singing began at the age of 14 whilst in secondary school. It was clear to her family and friends that her vocal ability would take her far. So, at 17 she joined a vocal harmony trio and appeared in various TV shows taking her all over the world.
Dawn’s talents didn’t end there, she went on to train at the Ann Oliver Stage school, gaining teaching qualifications in Ballet, Jazz, tap, Musical Theatre and drama. Following Dawn’s education, she performed in various dance shows across the country and also worked on cruise ships as a professional lead singer.
In the early 90’s, Dawn auditioned for a girl band and was signed by Pete Waterman for a year, around the same time as the Spice Girls and All Saints. Dawn toured all over the UK and Europe performing at some of the finest venues with the world’s best musicians.
Dawn has been singing, dancing and performing for over 20 years, she brings the experience, professionalism and stamina that any band could hope for.
Jason Battershill
Jason has been playing guitar for over 20 years and been playing semi professional for 7. He has played in numerous bands over the years and played in venues spread out all over the UK.
He was brought up by a very musically eclectic father who’s passion and knowledge for music influenced him from a very young age.
Jason’s main love is in progressive rock ranging from 70’s all the way through to a few modern bands. He follows two specific guitarists from the progressive background; David Gilmour from Pink Floyd and John Petrucci from Dream Theater.
Jason’s love for playing music, live and for himself is one of his biggest passions in life and he always strives on improving
and learning new material.
Jason uses PRS Guitars, Fender Guitars, Marshall Amplification, Boss Pedals & Effects
Nick Prow
Without giving ages away, Nick is the band’s ‘elder statesman’, on the other hand the band can call on his knowledge of the 80’s as this was the music around while he was growing up.
Nick started his musical journey in the early 70’s when his parents bought him a cheap drum kit to thrash around on, maybe they saw some musical talent, or maybe not!
This developed into a full-blown entry into the local music scene in the early 80’s, playing with numerous local indie bands and recording a number of demo ep’s and singles.
Then came marriage and children so music was forced to take a back seat for a while, a long while!
Nick took up the baton again at the end of the 90’s when he found himself with some extra spare time and being much older and wiser thought better of carting heavy drum kits around.
He started to learn the guitar, and while doing that was offered a decent bass guitar at a bargain price. This proved to be a revelation, and within a few months he found himself in a newly formed covers band playing local pubs and clubs.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Nick soon moved on to play with an already well-known act and settled into a long stint with this band, playing rock/pop covers all over the East Midlands including many festival performances.
Having become better known around the music scene in the area Nick also soon found himself being asked to ‘dep’ for a number of other acts, as well as the occasional recording session.
Nick enjoys driving the basslines behind The 80’s Theory, and along with Ben on the kit you can rest assured you will be grooving all night!
Nick uses Jon Shuker hand built basses, Fender basses, TC Electronic amplification and Vanderkley hand built cabinets.
Ben McIlvenna
From an early age, Ben was constantly surrounded by a wide variety of music, tunes from artists such as Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie were a constant in his life, having an impression on him. By the time he was 10 years old, Ben was already playing the massive collection of CD’s and tapes he had in his personal collection, a lot of which he’d “borrowed” from his father.
Ben’s interest in music didn’t fade out, seeing that it was his biggest passion in life, his parents bought him a 5-piece, Pearl Export drum kit for Christmas when he was 12. He was self-taught and learnt primarily by ear, gaining a great amount of knowledge on drumming technique by listening and playing along to Zeppelin and Queen albums.
By the late-90s, Ben’s musical interests began shifting to more musically complex sounding bands like Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment and Rush, studying advanced time signatures and progressive drumming techniques by Mike Portnoy, an accomplished American progressive rock drummer, and of course the legendary, Neil Peart.
As Ben grew older, his interest in learning about music grew with him, so in 2000 during High School, Ben took private lessons with a well renowned drum tutor from the Yamaha School of music. He received formal training studying grades 1 through to 8, theory, arranging, and ear training to a high level. The lessons helped him develop his musical sense, more so, than his actual drumming skills.
After High School, Ben chose to continue his passion for music in college whilst also studying engineering and design. Over the next 10 years, he played drums in many bands both unsigned originals and as a session musician playing classic covers ranging from the 80’s to modern pop and rock.
In 2008, Ben met guitarist Jason Battershill who, much like Ben, shared the same enthusiasm and passion for playing music. The pair struck up an immediate friendship due to their shared musical tastes and origins. They ended up playing in various bands together from then on at a semi-professional level, having recently completed a 4 year stint with a well renowned european rock tribute in 2018.
During this time, Ben was featured in ‘Modern Drummer Magazine with his touring drum kit, a huge honour amongst drummers and he keeps a framed copy on his wall at home!
Ben has now been playing drums for over 20 years and has played some of the best live venues all over the UK. His influences are all of the above, but with the addition of Todd Sucherman (Styx) in recent years, another legendary American prog rock drummer.
Ben is also a keen pianist and sound engineer enthusiast, he mixes all the arrangements used live with The 80’s Theory using Logic Pro X.
Ben uses Pearl Masters Drums, Zildjian A Custom Cymbals, Evans Drum Heads and Vic Firth Sticks. Read More

Reviews     (2 Reviews)

Experience

20 years live experience minimum
Stage
Theatre
Holiday Parks
Weddings
Cruise Ships

Previous Clients

Parkdean
Best Western

Suitable for

Birthday Party (Adult) Casinos Christening Christmas Party Corporate Event Dinner Party Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Trade Show / Exhibitions

Additional Information

Insured for Public Liability
All equipment PAT Tested Yearly