Corinne Bailey Rae at Colston Hall in Bristol | Gig Review
Posted on: 2016-10-30
Our rating:
This gig had it all - some sing-a-long action, a Bob Marley cover, an unscheduled song, and tales of her thoughts and dreams. Corinne couldn't have been more of a joy to be around if she had tried.
Multi-skilled singer/songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae delighted her audience to such an extent when she did a gig at the Colston Hall in Bristol last night (29th October) that everyone got out of their seats and danced as she came down off the stage and walked down the centre aisle. She sang as she walked and it really was the most amazing atmosphere as Corinne clearly loved her reception and in return we fed off her happy vibes.
Now over the years I have seen more gigs than I can honestly remember, so to say that this is one of the best ones I have seen really means something. Very rarely have I watched someone so joyful about being on a stage and doing what they do best. Corinne has that grateful and humble attitude about her and yet there is also nothing shy about this woman when she gets behind a mic or one of the many instruments she plays.
From the moment she first entered the stage at 9pm, her personality shone through as she interacted with the crowd straight away and launched into her first song - 'Been To The Moon'.
The first thing that strikes you about this gem from Leeds is her clear and beautiful voice because you can truly hear every word she sings and you believe what she is saying to you. She feels her music, she lives the lyrics and she can take you to various places in your mind in an instant.
The stories she tells you are relatable and you can feel her emotion from the minute she strikes that first note. Before her third song into the set she said "This is a song for anybody who has ever fallen in love with a best friend" and you could see many head nods flow throughout the crowd like a ripple effect. Yes, been there and done that Corinne.
A special mention also has to go out to the instrumentalists that accompanied her on stage throughout the set. They were four men, who apart from the fantastic drummer, played several instruments each and they surrounded Corinne on stage in a semi circular shape. None of them missed a beat and as Corinne introduced each musician at different points throughout the night, they all received rapturous applause in return.
Before Corinne launched into her 5th song which was the wonderfully soothing 'Green Aphrodisiac', she set the scene by telling us "This song is about the opposite time of year to now, when it's green and we find out what it is to discover new life". Then she started shaking her percussion instruments and it took me to a place of spring and summer meadows, of days when you lie in the grass as the sun kisses your face. That's how powerful her soul is, she can transform you someplace else in an instant.
This gig had it all - some sing-a-long action, a Bob Marley cover, an unscheduled song, and tales of her thoughts and dreams. Corinne couldn't have been more of a joy to be around if she had tried. She told us about how singing is a great chance for her to live in the present moment. Corinne was right in saying that it's so easy to miss what is going on our lives right now because we are so worried about the future. Then she sang 'Stop Where You Are' and it literally made the tiny hairs on my arm stand up.
'Hey I Won't Break Your Heart' is a song about love the second time around and this was another tune that was as emotional as it sounds. Her voice was so silky smooth when she sang this that it put me into such a relaxed state of mind that I forgot where I was for a moment. All I saw and heard was Corinne.
That's the great thing about her - she is all encompassing. When Corinne sings, you have no choice but to be totally engaged.
So by the time it got to much later on in the set and Corinne went into her upbeat song mode and joined us down off the stage, everyone was eating out of the palm of her hand and loving it.
Corinne then told us to stay on our feet as she went back on the stage and sang two of her very famous hits - 'Like a Star' and 'Put Your Records On'. You can just imagine how these two tunes went down with an already enthralled crowd.
The night was scheduled to be over at 10.30pm but due to the outstandingly long and appreciative applause she received, Corinne and her musicians came back on stage and gave us one more song. This is after she said "I didn't expect there to be such a party in here tonight. Thank you so much!"
Well, this is Bristol Corinne. We love good music here and we're not afraid to show it.
Simply spectacular evening and a 5 out of 5. (I don't dish out that rating freely).
Article by:
Kelly worked as a journalist for the BBC for 12 years before she changed careers and went into the field of marketing. Having worked at BBC 6 Music for several years, she is passionate about many different genres of sound. Her other interests include theatre, comedy, books, food and days out with the family (she has a young daughter who she describes as a "whirlwind of fun.") Kelly is married to Vik who is a true Bristolian to the core! She is also studying nutritional therapy.
