Katie Melua Live @ the RoundHouse
Katie Melua live photos by Oscar Tornincasa http://photoblog.oskaro.it for rebelrebelmusic.com
Score: 8.5/10
Katie Melua was back on stage on october 2, 2013 to kick off her European Tour promoting her new album, “Ketevan”. She delivered a quite powerful performance, singing her heart out with her angel-like, soulful voice and unique charisma. The simple and classy stage made it clear from the beginning that the show was all about Katie’s talent. And it was indeed.
Melua walked on stage and opened with “Belfast”, a hit from her first album, “Call off the Search”. Few seconds were enough for her amazing raw talent to conquer the audience. Secondly she performed a precious cover of “Diamonds Are Forever”, accompanied by bassist, drummer and a pianist. At this point it was already clear that the audience was about to experience a show that they would have cherished as a precious memory for a long time.
Melua’s voice echoed through the walls of the Roundhouse, filling the hearts, cuddling our ears with astonishingly clear vocals that sounded perfectly trained and a sweetness that made her music sound sexy and warm.
Before performing her cover of “On The Road Again”, she announced that she was quite excited to be back performing live after 10 years of career. Then it was the moment to perform for the first time ever the new songs from the “Ketevan” album (named after her real Georgian name). The 1920s-sounding “Idiot School”, the romantic ballad “Sailing Ships From Heaven”, the choral “I Will Be There” and the new single, “The Love I’m Frightened Of”, are just some of the new songs that drove the audience crazy.
During one of the many short speeches in-between songs, she also confessed that the cover of the new album was inspired by the sea in her homeland, Georgia, like the beautiful piece “Where Does The Ocean Go” (also inspired by Coleridge’s The Rime of The Ancient Mariner).
There was also a surprise treat for all of us when Melua invited on stage Georgian choir Shvidkatsa, who performed two local Georgian ballads and backed up Katie on the hit “The Flood”.
Much to the delight of the audience, the show closed with crowd favourite classics like “Nine Million Bicycles”, “The Closest Thing”, “Two Bare Feet” and “I Cried For You,” which earned her several standing ovations from the balcony seats.
Definitely a must-see, if she’s coming any close to your town, grab your ticket and prepare for a night of heavenly vocals and great music.
COMPLETE SET LIST:
Belfast
Diamonds are forever
On the road again
My aphrodisiac is you
Love is a silent thief
The love I’m frightened of
Sailing ships from heaven
Never felt less like dancing
Idiot school
Crawling up a hill
Shiver and shake
Where does the ocean go
I will be there
Spider’s web
If the lights go out
Call off the search
I never fall
Georgian song 1 by Basiani Choir
Georgian song 2 by Basiani Choir
The flood
The closest thing to crazy
Nine million bicycles
Two bare feet
I cried for you
