Gig Review: Gary Barlow plus support Nell Bryden - Hammersmith Apollo ✭✭✭✭

Gary Barlow: In Concert

Support Act: Nell Bryden

Hammersmith Apollo

Review by Philippa Stubbs

Brooklyn descendent, Nell Bryden, has been supporting Gary Barlow for the duration of this tour and it is clear why a talent of this calibre has been chosen to share the audience.

Nell is clearly a talented songwriter and her compositions have a depth to them that is so often lost in the popular music of today. From the catchy ‘Shake The Tree’ (video below) to the poignant ‘Sirens’ (inspired by 9/11), her talent is not restricted to a specific genre, and shares a likeness with Annie Lennox and KT Tunstell. It is just a shame that she began her set with a limited audience.

Following this gig, I’ll definitely give Bryden’s albums a listen and I think you should too!
Nell is also doing a headline tour this week - tour dates on her website: www.nellbryden.com

After a while out of the limelight, Gary Barlow has well and truly stormed into success over the last few years. Landing the role of a judge on the popular XFactor, commissioning a song for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and numerous media appearances, it has certainly been a busy time for the singer/songwriter and he still manages to fit in a tour!

Joined by a band of musicians he has worked with since the early nineties, Barlow performed a program of his solo material alongside Take That hits and a couple of covers. The audience were up dancing and singing along to the old Take That classics including ‘Back for Good’’ and ‘A Million Love Songs’ with a guest appearance by James Corden for ‘Pray’, complete with dance routine. To balance the old and entertain the newer fans, Take That’s more recent hits such as ‘Greatest Day’ and ‘Patience’ were equally appreciated.

I’m going to put it out there and say that the remainder of Take That weren’t missed tonight. Barlow had all the charm and showmanship that the audience needed and I’m sure his career as a soloist is far from over.

4 stars ✭✭✭✭