Tribute band brings Beatlemania to Algonquin Commons Theatre
Help! brought a wave of nostalgia to the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Oct. 4, performing classic Beatles hits and mesmerizing fans of all ages.
“The energy from the crowd was incredible,” said Pascal Tirapani, who is the Paul McCartney of the band. “You could feel the connection, especially during the final songs.”
Tirapani talked about the challenges of recreating the Beatles’ sound and the commitment required.
“We each play a specific role. I play the bass left-handed, even though I’m actually right-handed,” he said. “We wanted the appearance to look good, so we do everything we can to play the role of each Beatle accurately.”
For many audience members, Help! offered a unique opportunity to relive a beloved musical era.
Lucy Lefebvre, attending her second tribute show, praised the band’s performance.
“I love it. It’s from my era,” she said. “They capture the Beatles’ sound very well.”
The band’s dedication to their roles was evident as they navigated through iconic tracks, transitioning smoothly between hits like Hey Jude and Let It Be. Tirapani said choosing just one favorite Beatles song is nearly impossible.
“They have hours and hours of music,” he said
The event drew longtime Beatles enthusiast Tracy Byers Reid, whose husband, Aaron Reid, is part of the local Capital Beatles tribute band.
Byers Reid shared her thoughts on Help!’s performance: “It’s pretty authentic! My husband’s a huge Beatles fan. The fact that there’s a left-handed Paul, that’s fantastic.”
Aaron Reid said Help! raises the bar for tribute bands.
“These guys are exceptional. They’re probably one of the best I’ve ever heard,” he said.
For those aspiring to follow in their footsteps, Tirapani had some advice: “Be as authentic as possible. Pay attention to the details and be professional from A to Z.”
With plans to return in fall 2025, Help! looks forward to bringing more Beatles magic to Ottawa.
“We’re checking out the dates,” Tirapani said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll be back.”
