Bristol O2 Academy – Monday 8th November 2021
This had all the makings of a special evening. A sold out, capacity crowd. Scotlands breakout star and a prodigal, multi award winning world star in the waiting.
There was an air of anticipation in the throng of faces that stretch around the block from the main entrance of the venue. And a palpable sense of excitement.
Joesef,
Is used to playing sold out crowds in his own right. And there is no doubting his name being on the bill added additional pull to the evening.
Scotland’s latest break out star, is very much at home on the big stage and his understated persona and gruff Glaswegian accent only serves to leave new followers open mouthed when he begins to perform. For there is a huge vocal range as Joesef begins to take the crowd through his set.
Drawing comparisons from Sam Smith, Lewis Capaldi and even Amy Winehouse, its impossible for his stock not to continue on its fast moving upward trajectory.
Its very clear to see that the crowd support is there for the talented soulster as he weaves through a raft of popular songs such as Loverboy and Fire.
If you have not heard the name Joesef yet, why not? If you have, you know that it’s one to watch very closely over the next 12 to 18 months for sure.
ARLO PARKS
To say we were excited to shoot & review Arlo Parks this past Monday would be a huge understatement…it’s not often a Mercury Prize winning, album of the year and nominated best new artist, best British female solo artist 2021 (Brit Awards) graces Bristol with their presence…
Our only concern, would the live performance match up to one of the smoothest of records we’ve heard in the past 20 years?
Oh it did… and then some.
It’s hard to recall Bristol O2 Academy resonating to vibrations and tone so soft, yet so powerful.
Arlo has a gift, an old soul in young body. This enables a lyrically beautiful connection with the audience. Songs so beautiful and poignant, yet at the same time relatable and easy to sing along with.
I don’t think I’ve witnessed a crowd gently sway in unison as much as I did Monday evening. That’s not to say Arlo can’t pick up the pace. Award winning album “Collapsed Sunbeams” is a emotional rollercoaster, but also full of variety in mood and speed of delivery.
Arlo is so of NOW… the new generation really connect with the messages, the open struggles, the feelings her music conveys.
However it doesn’t stop at the music. Arlo is a truly gifted wordsmith. Equally at home delivering spoken word. Some of which we were treated to as part of the set. You could have heard a pin drop amongst the sell out crowd as those pages were read aloud.
The 12 song set and single song encore delivered everything the audience had hoped it would. Live deliveries of favourites “Caroline”, “Black Dog” & “Eugene” will live long in the memory of those in attendance.
And how fitting to close out the show with “hope” for that is what you are Arlo. Our hope for a new generation.
#arloparks
Leave a Reply