Gig Review: James Morrison - Kew the Music ✭✭✭✭

James Morrison

Photo: Connor McDonnell

Kew the Music

Friday 6th July: Kew Gardens was packed with people, filled with families, friends, couples having their picnics. Everyone enjoyed the night, and luckily the rain held off for the performances.

Starting off the night was Josh Osho the soulful singer from South London. I have seen Josh Osho live a couple of times now and he never disappoints, with the great song ‘Redemption Days’.

Next was Tanita Tikaram, her debut album ‘Ancient Heart’ released in 1988 sold over five million copies and established her as a major worldwide artist. Tanita Tikaram hasn’t played a UK date since 1991’s ‘Everybody’s Angel’ album. Everyone was clearly just happy to sit back, relax and enjoy the live music.

James Morrison was next up to grace the stage. ‘Beautiful Life’ a great song to start the show, as everyone was in high spirits. Next were two tracks taken from the album The Awakening, they were ‘In My Dreams’ and ‘Say Something Now’. There was a full band on stage with him; you just can’t beat a live band, it adds something to the whole experience.

One of my favourite songs by James was next ‘Up’, which features Jessie J, the female vocals are provided by one of his beautiful backing singers. Then another one of James’s popular songs ‘Broken Strings’. James has a beautiful tone to his voice and is certainly a great live performer.

The next three songs that were performed were all taken from the album The Awakening ‘All Around The World’, ‘Slave To The Music’ and ‘Nothing Ever Hurt Like You’. We were then treated to a cover of ‘I’m A Man’ originally by The Spencer Davis Group, got everyone dancing.

The last song of the night, which was in the encore, was James’s first single from his first album Undiscovered, the song was ‘You Give Me Something’ one of James’ best and well-known songs. James makes singing live look effortless, he is definitely a great artist, with an extraordinary talent and I hope I get to see him live again.

And then to end a perfect evening we had the usual Kew Garden fireworks. Kew The Music is such a fantastic event, and an amazing week of music.

4 out of 5 stars ✭✭✭✭

Review by Christina Benneworth