The Edinburgh Fringe Archives – MJ Hibbert (Hey Hey 16K, 2015)

The Edinburgh Fringe Show, with Ewan Spence

Following on from the viral success of his retro throwback to the days of the ZX Spectrum and other 8-bit home computers, MJ Hibbett brought his musical mix of comedy and meme-ability to the Edinburgh Fringe… although the hit song was released in 2000, and he didn’t make the Fringe till 2015, this might feel tenuous but when you have a one-hit wonder online, you live the dream.

MJ, along with Steven Hewitt, expanded that little ditty into a time-travelling rock and roll opera, mixing in Back to the Future, Ukuleles, and obscure Doctor Who references. They join myself and Jen Blacker in the Leith Radio Studios to talk about the show, viral success, and of course, they brought a guitar for a bit of a turn.

Programming and poetry are slammed together in a thoughtful song (both convey complicated ideas with clarity). Don’t go thinking this is carefully considered stuff however. An audience member grumbled that he only counted 15 of the 20 things he expected in the aforementioned [20 Things To Do Before You’re 30] song. But that’s missing the point of this joyously simple, free pub party.

Broadway Baby / * * *

So not only are we back in time to 2015 but back in time to 1982 as well. It’s the Free Fringe at Sneaky Pete’s, it’s Hey Hey 16K.

• Find out more about MJ Hibbett at his website, follow him on Twitter, and find his music on Bandcamp.

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