REVIEW: Doom and Glitter: A Tribute to Tom Waits, Mr Brake Down, EdFringe 2025 ★★★★

Deep down below in the basement of Paradise at Augustines, Tom Waits is getting ready to serenade his audience. Only… this is not Tom Waits himself, but drag king Mr Brake Down channelling the spirit of the artist into the room through his gravelly voice and bad boy charms. Backed by Sophie Siobhán (sax, keys, guitar), Steve Lincoln (percussion) and Siân Peters (MD, rhythm, arrangements) Mr Brake Down takes us through some of Waits’s best loved songs, delivered with fresh flair and the occasional humorous lyric change.

It’s clear from the moment this show starts that it’s something of a religious experience for Tom Waits fans, the atmosphere from the audience one of enthusiasm and a keen love for the music being shared. The intimate atmosphere of the Snug venue adds to the sense of a secret speakeasy, Mr Brake Down inviting us all to step into a world of gravel-laced vocals and jazz piano licks as the outside bustle of Fringe streets falls away. 

A bag of percussion instruments is handed round and the audience are invited to become participants in the show by shaking, rattling and tapping along as the musicians take us on a journey through Waits’s catalogue. Moments like a collective shout of “zeeba-dabba-zeeba-dabba hey!” help prepare the room for creating a wonderfully feral rendition of What’s He Building where the electronic and percussion soundscapes are conjured live by all in the room, to great effect. 

Another highlight of Doom and Glitter is Mr Brake Down’s habit of inviting a special guest into the space to share their talents, with a  different guest performing every show. On the day this reviewer went along to the show the special guest was burlesque performer Magenta Queen, whose playful sensuality and wonderfully indulgent outfit fitted right in with the vibe of intimate debauchery and illicit fun.

The musical talents of Sophie Siobhán also deserve special mention, particularly on keys, and Mr Brake Down himself is a remarkably powerful onstage presence who leads us through the world of Doom and Glitter with excellent vocals and a wryly charming ease.

There were a few moments where the timing of the live music became a little unstuck from the pre-recorded backing tracks, and a cover of Somewhere from West Side Story didn’t have quite the same assured confidence shown throughout Tom Waits’s repertoire in the rest of the show.  Overall, however, this is a deeply enjoyable and immersive hour for any music lovers, Tom Waits fans or otherwise. Just be ready to summon your very best creepy soundscape skills if you want to do What’s He Building the true homage it deserves.

Recommended Drink: A whisky on the rocks is the obvious choice for this show full of bluesy swagger. 

You can catch Doom and Glitter: A Tribute to Tom Waits at Snug at Paradise in Augustines from now until 24th August at 17:15 (60 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.

Image Credit: Zoe Knowles Photography