I think I have a crush on the Wiggles.
Seriously – they are freaking awesome.
I’m actually not sure who enjoys their concerts more, my two toddlers or me.
Quite by accident, I have become a Wiggles groupie. I went to my first Wiggles concert about 15 years ago, when I took my baby brother along to a show in the Bondi Pavilion.
We have a fuzzy VHS of theirs back then: Anthony, Greg, Murray and Jeff all wearing their ubiquitous skivvies while belting out what would become their hits: Hot Potato, Yummy Yummy, Rock-a-bye your Bear.
Fast forward two decades and they are still doing the same, albeit with a few key changes. Greg, Murray and Jeff have now become Emma, Simon and Lachy.
Anthony’s still there, and still freakishly talented: despite being the oldest Wiggle (he celebrates the big 5-0 this year), he can walk on his hands, do the splits, lift people in the air…all while singing and dancing…oh, and he directs every single Wiggles show.
The Wiggles are slicker than they once were; their DVDs now showing a suite professional dancers and musicians, not just their friends who they could they could get to stand in as extras on the day.
They’re a multi-million dollar empire: famous beyond our shores, their perpetually grinning faces can be found on everything from baked beans, to nappies, to luggage to yoghurt.
They look smarter: their slightly daggy get ups have been replaced with high-tech gear, including those weird looking ‘frog’ running shoes for one of them. The first woman Wiggle, Emma, looks some kind of fabulous 50s icon: shiny red hair, big red lips and patent leather shoes with a swinging black and yellow skirt.
No doubt the money and the fame has been a considerable driver of the Wiggles longevity. But they also seem to genuinely enjoy what they do.
I was an audience member last year during the ‘Farewell Tour’ for the three retiring members, and was again in the audience last week as the fab four began their introductory tour of the country. And there was little difference.
The big smiles were there. The high energy. The in-jokes on stage as they ad-libbed through a sketch. It felt the same.
The three new Wiggles have a lot to live up to. Their predecessors redefined preschool music for millions of toddlers, driving their parents crazy with their catchy tunes in the process.
So ingrained is Wiggles music in my life that I often find myself humming their tunes to myself – with or without my kids present.
I was a little nervous to see the new fab four: would they be as adored by my children as much as the originals? Would it work, this reinvention?
I shouldn’t have worried.
From the moment the lights lit up the stage, the new Wiggles seemed like old friends.
My eldest daughter beamed as she scored a hug from Dorothy after presenting her with some roses. My youngest squealed as Wags danced into view.
Looking around the room, all you could see were smiles. For 45 minutes, hundreds of busy little people jiggled and jived as The Wiggles entertained.
And when they asked us to join in singing, I knew all the words.
