Picture this: It’s Valentines Day. You’re in the crowd of a packed o2 Academy. What could possibly be so important that your partner persuades you to move a dinner reservation so you could be here? The answer, of course, is none other than Cory Wong.
The funk legend and all-round musical master graced the stage, along with his outstanding band, to deliver 2 hours of the most impressive musicality I think I’ve ever seen.
One audience member remarked “I think this is the best thing since David Bowie” which is quite the compliment. Wong lived up to this description (minus some of the theatrics) as I became transfixed on the intricate riffs and solos from all members of the band. Wongs guitar playing has even earnt him his own signature Fender guitar named after himself. Now I’d say that’s got to count for something!
The show was opened by American band Couch, who were a massive highlight for me. They must have had the same effect on Cory as he brought their lead singer out to sing three songs during his own set. Her powerhouse vocals absolutely blew me away and the vocal control was unmatched by any singer I’ve seen live before. It was truly a pleasure to see in person.
The whole band’s performance was the very definition of tight. I didn’t hear a single note wrong or phrase out of place the entire night. Consisting of a horn section synth, bass, and drums, along with Cory on guitar, this group was clearly the best fitting pieces of an incredibly complex puzzle.
Although Cory Wong is touring as a solo musician currently, he is also in renowned funk group Vulfpeck. Keen listeners amongst the crowd will have spotted the song Dean Town pop up in the set, only for it to be teasingly played at almost double speed. That was certainly an unexpected treat for true fans in the room.
One of the highlights for me was how the set finished. The long-awaited song, as is so often the case, came right at the last minute. Grid generation, from Cory’s collaborative album The Lucky One, featured Louis Cole on the recorded version. Although no Louis Cole was brought out, there was an incredible brass section as replacement and one of the tightest and fastest drum solos I’ve ever witnessed.
During the encore, the band slowly filtered back onto the stage as Cory played a soulful medley of songs on his guitar. The mix then built to crescendo in glorious chaos yet managed to land perfectly back into the end of Grid Generation without missing a beat.
Young and old, couples, groups, single concert goers, and new fans alike were impulsively moved to dance and cheer by the end of this mostly instrumental 2-hour set. The sheer energy and talent exuding from that stage was complimented by the fantastic lighting design and catchy tunes that stayed with us well into the late dinner reservations afterwards. Thus, rounding of valentines day as one to remember.
@anna.h_photos
Role: Photographer/ Journalist
Available for: Gig and press phototography, album shoots, music videos, tour coverage
Qualification: 1st class BA photojournalism degree
First attended gig: First ticketed gig I remember is Newton Faulkner but there was plenty of live music that I saw growing up in the folk scene in Cornwall
First gig shot: Rattler Fest for all three days
Dream gig: It's too hard to pick just one, and i'm lucky enough to have been able to shoot some of my bucket list bands already, so top 3 would have to be Frank Turner, The Hives, and Twenty One Pilots
