Grant Busé on timeless bangers, iPods, mullets and more

Musical comedian Grant Busé returns to the Fringe with a high-energy nostalgic show about the 'good old days'.

The pandemic forced Australian comic Grant to move back down under to his parents' house which meant SentiMENTAL - a show he had begun writing in 2020 - took on a whole new level of material. Written in his childhood bedroom, this show mixes original songs with stand-up, homages to our favourite classic tunes and a bunch of blasts from the pasts.

How old do you need to be to take this walk down memory lane?

You don't need to be old to be sentimental for the good old days. I mean, I'm getting nostalgic about my breakfast right now. I'm a nineties boy. So Tamagotchis, Captain Planet and frosted tips are my jam.

The show however is more about nostalgia as a phenomena and how it affects our lives. Having said that, you may have trouble explaining to your kids what a landline is. I go by the iPod rule. If you are old enough to have owned an original iPod (RIP) you are old enough for this show.

What are we going to be nostalgic about in 20 years?

We like to think we know what's going to be nostalgic but really, we have no idea. Only time will tell. If I was to guess though I reckon people will weirdly long for the good old days in lockdown. Getting to work from home for 2 years and not having to deal with office politics, smelly crowded commutes and your annoying boss telling you to put on trousers at work. It was a horrific time in human history, but our memories are only a first draft. As I touch on in my show, time has this healing yet dangerous way of editing our memories into dwindled down re-imaginations. It's basically just fake news.

Is there anything we should resurrect from the past that would make the world better today?

Mullets. They are starting to make a re-emergence and I'm delighted they are. I like them because they instantly inform me who to avoid.

Also bring back singing fish mounted on walls. I loved those guys. I don't know how it will help but I know it won't hurt.

You're a musician as well as a comedian and your show features a lot of music. What's a timeless banger you love the most?

That's so hard to narrow it down to just one. Let's do this by time period.

60s: Hey Jude - The Beatles.
70s: September - Earth Wind & Fire.
80s: Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi.
90s: Everybody - Backstreet Boys.
00s: Lose Yourself - Eminem.
10s: Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson (feat. Bruno Mars).

Play any of those at a gathering and you instantly will have a party!

Vinyl, Cassette, CD, Mini-Disk, Streaming or Live - what's best?

Vinyl if you like feeling superior to everyone. Cassette for nostalgia - but only through a Walkman! CD for quality of sound and mixing. Streaming for ease but live for best experience. Nothing beats live!

Who the hell uses mini-disk?!