Gig Review: Caro Emerald - Royal Festival Hall, London ✭✭✭✭✭

Caro Emerald

Royal Festival Hall, London

14th September 2013: After heading straight to number 1 in the UK album chart recently with her smash The Shocking Miss Emerald, it's plain to see why Caro is back for her fifth appearance in London in the past few years.

Caro's music speaks for itself. An indulgent blend of 40's style retro infused with be-pop, swing and big band beats which are a feast for the ears, yet alone the eyes. Caro's style oozes passion, and her voice is just to die for.

Backed by a fabulous eight piece band, they are crisp and tight, dressed in grey suits, and sound superb over the sound system, the horns sounding particularly delightful in some numbers - squeaky jazz trumpet is always a huge favourite of mine. The addition of a DJ into the set up is magic - adding scratches and samples here there and everywhere gives a different twist to the sound you are expecting - it works a treat. They are also given a chance to shine during Caro's costume changes, and the audience loved it.

The setlist contained material from both of Caro's albums, Pack Up Louie and Liquid Lunch sounding rather resplendent, whilst one of my favourite tracks, Riviera Life got me bopping away. I love the sample used in Riviera Life, the same one is also used by Take That in their song She Said, a very funky sample indeed.

The sold out Royal Festival Hall were loving what was on offer, some were having a cheeky dance before being told to sit down by the ushers - spoilsports! But all was not lost, Caro encouraged you to dance, and therefore we did. A Night Like This proving to be the biggest singalong of the night.

A simply wonderful night was had, I can only think of one word to sum it all up - WOW.

Caro is back in London next year playing the O2 Arena, it's going to be brilliant. Make sure you book tickets fast.

5 stars ✭✭✭✭✭

2013 Tour dates

Mon Sep 16th: Birmingham Symphony Hall
Tue Sep 17th: Oxford Oxford New Theatre
Thu Sep 19th: Bristol Colston Hall
Fri Sep 20th: Southend Cliff Pavilion
Sun Sep 22nd: Leicester De Montfort Hall
Mon Sep 23rd: Ipswich Regent
Wed Sep 25th: Portsmouth Guildhall

2014 Tour Dates

SATURDAY 08 MARCH:                    BOURNEMOUTH BIC
SUNDAY 09 MARCH:                         CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA
TUESDAY 11 MARCH:                       PLYMOUTH PAVILIONS
WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH:                BRIGHTON CENTRE
FRIDAY 14 MARCH:                           LONDON THE O2
SATURDAY 15 MARCH:                    LEEDS FIRST DIRECT ARENA
MONDAY 17 MARCH:                        NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CENTRE
TUESDAY 18 MARCH:                       NEWCASTLE CITY HALL
THURSDAY 20 MARCH:                    MANCHESTER ARENA
FRIDAY 21 MARCH:                           GLASGOW HYDRO
SATURDAY 22 MARCH:                    BIRMINGHAM NIA