Hailing from L.A., this Fuji Rock staple act is drummer and bandleader Big Willie’s (Willie McNeil’s) fun and funky burlesque revue. And it certainly makes for a perfect break on a long Fuji Rock day, showing that the weather isn’t the only thing hot at Fuji Rock. Hot sax, hot licks, slick drums, some serious tickling of the ivories, and sizzling dancers.

Toeing the line between tasteful sleaze and lowbrow art (in the best ways), there is no denying that this is a Show with a capital S. it is a well crafted spectacle of music, dance and above all performance. Each member of the group is undoubtedly talented, but they stand out principally as performers. The result was a freewheeling and frisky 45 minutes. Imagine being transported into the cover of a Herp Albert LP, something along those lines.

At the center of it all is Big Willie himself, doing at the very least quadruple duty as drummer, singer, comedic foil and leader of the whole to-do. But when the dancers come out there is no denying that even though this is Willie’s show, they are the stars.

Did you ever think you’d have the opportunity to see a hot-jazz burlesque version of “Für Elise”? Well you can experience that and a heck of a lot more at all the Big Willie’s Burlesque shows going on throughout the remainder of the festival.