Review by Steve Bennett

Musical acts can be among the laziest in comedy. After all, it doesn't take much effort to rejig a few lyrics for 'comic' effect - but it does take a considerable talent to elevate this into a top-class act.

Although Oakley is by no means the worst guitar-wielding offender, there just isn't enough distinctive material yet to elevate this act from the entertaining to the excellent.

His a solid enough set that it's never going to bomb - a Pokemon-inspired version of Coldplay's Yellow is particularly neat . Although it seems trite at first, it burrows into your consciousness to reappear, frustratingly and unexpectedly, days later. Much like the original, then.

However Oakley must now build on this foundation to find a distinctive comic presence, else he may become a Barron Knight of the 21st century.

Review date: 1 Jan 2001
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett