Lianne Le Havas backs up her Mercury credentials with a masterful show in Liverpool, Getintothis’ Andy Kettle keeps her in check, mate.
Big voice, big talent, big love.
Lianne Le Havas came sporting a tight-as-you-like chess board top at the O2 Academy in Liverpool, and it was proved a grand master’s show of supreme talent as she whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
Opening to pin-drop silence with a stripped back performance of her single We All Make Mistakes, she was soon joined by her super-tight band for the title track of her Mercury-nominated album, Is Your Love Big Enough?
With the room immersed in a musical feast of technical rhythms and complicated vocal harmonies, Lianne’s fine vocal range was showcased further on You Taught Me and Tease Me.
Greeted to a rumble of stamping feet, she introduced her encore saluting the screaming Liverpool masses, insisting ‘a crowd had never done that to her before.‘
Signing off with a delectable cover of Scott Matthews‘ Elusive, she left with a cry of ‘Liverpool – I love you‘ and judging by the rapturous reaction, the feeling was mutual.
Earlier, Josh Kumra warmed up with a simple set-up of solitary guitar and voice with a side order of reverb. With the venue steadily filling, proceedings could have gone either way – yet Kumra kept the room attentive with his soaring voice, technical six-stringed licks and a profound repertoire of songs.
Drawing influence from the likes of Tracy Chapman and Ray Lamontagne he dropped Get Back, the track Wretch 32 elevated to the top of the charts before showcasing his spellbinding range on Keep On Walking and an innovative guitar solo on a cheeky cover of Miguel‘s Quickie.
Closing with recent singles Waiting For You and The Answer from his forthcoming album Waiting for You Kumra left a crowd eager for the main drawer discovering a mouth-watering appetiser.
Photography by Dave Munn.
