Fans of Tina Turner are set for a treat as the brand new What’s Love Got To Do With It? show visits Scotland, part of a massive 60-date UK tour, later this year and into 2020. This spectacular production celebrates the incredible career of one of America’s most loved pop icons and features the amazing vocal talent of Elesha Paul Moses who is also simultaneously touring with Whitney – Queen Of The Night.
‘I am absolutely thrilled to be touring the UK with What’s Love Got To Do With It?‘ Elesha says. ‘This is a magnificent show and Tina is a great persona to emulate on stage. I’ve performed as Tina many times over the years, so to now be the lead in a show that is travelling all over the UK and celebrating everything about her is an amazing opportunity.’
Elesha has been around the music business for many years but it has been a long road leading to her starring role in two major tours. When she could not find success with her own material, Elesha spent time working as a tribute artist, including as Tina Turner and Whitney Houston, before trying her hand on the TV talent show The X Factor in 2010, and later on The Voice. The TV shows gave Elesha a little exposure but a lot of determination to keep trying, leading to her successful audition for the Whitney production and, now, What’s Love Got To Do With It?
‘It’s mad, and still hasn’t really sunk in yet. I was pretty full-on with Whitney – Queen Of The Night towards the end of 2018, so didn’t have too much time to think about it. But then we went into full-on rehearsals and then touring mode for What’s Love Got To Do With It?, and I’ve seen so much love for the show on social media and banners at theatres that it suddenly became a lot more real. I’ve been working hard on the vocals and the band, backing singers and costumes are all fantastic. It’s great doing two shows and performing as two massive artists, absolutely amazing! Sometimes it’s a little bit confusing,’ she laughs, ‘but I get there in the end.’
‘Vocally, the Tina show is harder. Tina’s not got a growl as such, it’s just something which is there in her tone. It’s really difficult to explain. People think it’s shouting but it’s not, it’s a very particular tone that she has.
‘When I started mimicking Tina, it was great to watch her and learn from the energy and fun she puts in – and her way of moving is so distinctive. She’s so free with her performance, and carefree running around, kicking her legs up. It’s so much fun to take that on, and it’s an amazing quality not many artists have.
‘There are so many of Tina’s songs that I love,’ Elesha adds. ‘Proud Mary is obviously so much fun, but I also love Typical Male and I Can’t Stand The Rain. But for my absolute favourite… I’ll go with Proud Mary! Even youngsters now, they know tracks like Proud Mary. You do those songs and they’re all over it, and it’s not fading away.
‘Tina is just such a great all-rounder, and she appeals to men as well as women. She’s a great rock and roll artist, she’s still here and she’s still doing so well. She’s had difficult times too over the years, but she came through it and is married and happy now. I think people like
that side of her story too, as well as the brilliant music.’
What’s Love Got To Do With It? tours across Scotland in the autumn and into 2020:
2019
INVERNESS Eden Court, Wed 30 Oct
DUNFERMLINE Alhambra Theatre, Thu 31 Oct
PERTH Concert Hall, Sat 16 Nov
2020
ABERDEEN Music Hall, Thu 26 Mar
DUNDEE Caird Hall, Fri 27 Mar
EDINBURGH Usher Hall, Sat 28 Mar