Leona Lewis, Hackney Empire, London - November 2nd
Leona Lewis first appeared on the stage of the Hackney Empire when she was 13 years old. Eleven years later, the now sleek and shiny woman-sized Lewis returned to her hometown to play her first ever headline show before an audience of adoring fans last night. Security was heavy after Leona was recently punched in the face at a book launch. However, when she appeared on stage shimmering and trailing a long cloak, the Hackney resident cut a cool and confident figure as she launched into her first song…
Spandau Ballet, O2 Arena, London - October 20th
“What you been doing for the last 20 years?” a beaming Tony Hadley asked the eager crowd three songs into Spandau Ballet’s two-hour set. Getting older would be the truthful reply, also an answer that applies to the five members of Spandau, quabbles now put aside, patched up and standing before us. Of all the 80s comebacks, Spandau Ballet’s always seemed the most unlikely. Last night however they put on a show that turned back time, the band tight and Tony Hadley producing emphatically clear and true vocals that enabled the audience to settle comfortably back into the early 80s…
Kings Of Convenience, Barbican, London - October 14th
“Who are you going to see tonight?” asked my friend. “Kings Of Convenience,” I replied. “Are they like Kings Of Leon?” she countered. “Erm… similar but different,” I smiled. In fact, the Kings Of Convenience are as far away as can be from their Californian semi-namesakes. Where the Followill brothers favour axe-grinding and gritty vocals, the Kings Of Convenience feast on lush, hushed harmonies and delicately seasonsed guitar melodies. All wispy hair and pastel-coloured cords, their brand of atmospheric folk-pop draws you into a jazz-influenced, sunshine-fuelled world where the smell of tanning lotion and fresh pineapple linger. This is what Simon & Garfunkel would have sounded like had they been drugged and born in 70s Oslo…
Speed Caravan, Dingwalls, London - October 7th
We had heard that this band were a top-notch live outfit that rocked the kasbah on a regular basis and tonight was their Kalashnik Love album launch. So we hot-footed it down to a rain-drenched Camden and readied ourselves to be mesmorised by the lure of north African promise. Speed Caravan are a Paris-based five-piece who blend a mix of traditional north African influences with their western couterparts - rock, electronic/dance, hip-hop and whatever takes their fancy. Chief protagonist is Mehdi Haddab, a virtuoso of the classical oud, a fretless Arabic lute. His oud was amplified and appeared to be fed through many gadgets tonight. He wasn’t shy and seemed well versed with the western world’s love affair of six-string gods as he did his best impression of a tortured guitar hero at every opportunity - we kid you not…
