Shantify – Ed Fringe 2025

Shantify: Assembly George Square Gardens – Palais du Variete

18th August 2025

★★★★

Shantify’s crew of West End wonderboys turn show tunes, rock classics and pop bangers into superb sea shanties and weave them into a joyous story. Shantify sold out at last year’s Fringe and is already receiving rave reviews.

Wow! These six performers are super talented, polished and slick. The harmonies are excellent throughout and the songs are interwoven to create a story. The song choices are really varied and have something for everyone. There is a real mixture of songs in this show from 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton to One Shot by Lin Manuel Miranda with everything from Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror to the Spice Girls and everything in between. The vocals are exceptional as is the commitment and professionalism from the performers.

However, it somewhat lacks originality. It is very similar to Choir of Man (with a bit of Fishermen’s Friends thrown in). There are so many similarities for example with the style of narrator led show to the fact that they sing in a band in the local pub. This doesn’t detract from the talent in the show at all because the vocals and arrangements of the songs are superb and it is still great fun.

The lighting and staging must be commended too as it really adds to the atmosphere of the show. The venue is gorgeous and is used well to transport the audience from the harbour, to the boat, to the pub. One thing that would further improve this show would be to have a full live band onstage.

Shantify has been selling out and receiving five star reviews at this year’s Fringe and they have just announced that on the 28th of September they will be doing two shows at the Ambassador’s Theatre in London, marking their West End debut.

This is a super production with wide range of songs and a common theme of friendship, love and realising your dreams. The vocals are outstanding throughout the show and if you only see one music show at this year’s Fringe you won’t go wrong with this one.

For more information and tickets click here.

AD – PR invite in exchange for a honest review.