Karaoke Car hits the roads tonight

Friday 10 March 2017

Islanders will have the chance to put their 'Carpool Karaoke' skills to the test, as a Karaoke Car gets its show on the road for the first time this evening.

Co-owners of Karaoke Car, Steve Bouchere and his wife, Sharon, told Express they were “thrilled” to finally get a Public Services Vehicle (PSV) plate and charabanc licence for the all-singing, all-dancing set of wheels.

The couple, who are both videographers, picked up the cab in Southgate in London last year and have since turned it purple and kitted it out with a karaoke machine, microphones, monitors and cameras - all the ingredients for a private karaoke party.

While they already took stationary bookings including weddings and festivals, the goal was to get a full charabanc licence to get the ‘car-ty’ started around the Rock. 

 Video: The Karaoke Car enjoyed by Folklore Festival attendees last year.

After a lot of “work and money” – including a name change from ‘Cab’ to car as one of DVS’ regulations – they’re ready to go. The first booking is tonight – a hen party with a group of girls from England.

“It was very hit and miss for the last few weeks if we would actually be able to take the booking or not so we are over the moon that we made it just in time,” Mr Bouchere told Express.

With music and video as their key passions, the couple’s interests were piqued when they spotted a YouTube video, “…with some girls who had that edited themselves singing in the back of a car to different tracks wearing different outfits for each song.”

 Pictured: Steve Bouchere, who set up the Karaoke Car with his wife, Sharon.

“The idea for The Karaoke Car was born… Originally we were thinking of doing it in this tiny little car that my parents were about to get rid of, but after lots of different ideas we decided to go for it and buy a Black cab from London and convert it ourselves, using some really talented people over here too for the paint job, the interior and graphics. I then fitted all of the karaoke gear, cameras, monitors and lights myself,” Mr Bouchere explained.

As for what the public can expect for a night rocking around the Rock, “…all I can say is that it’s pure and absolute fun!”

“Once you are in there it’s like a different world and people tend to let themselves go. It's fully blacked out with curtains so no one can see you, so it doesn't matter how good or bad you are at singing, it's your chance to have a great laugh.

“If you were at a pub that has karaoke, people are more hesitant to get up as the rest of the room can see and hear them, but in the Karaoke Car it's just you, your friends, and your favourite songs.”

Pictured: The Karaoke Car, which will take its first passengers on the roads this evening, with its brand new PSV plate.