Here it be, at last:
LIVE
REVIEW;
Newton
Faulkner (w/ Charlotte O'Connor, Amy Holforth)
Norwich
Open
12/5/2012
*****
5 stars
With
a new album slated for release in early July, and on the back of a
new EP that came out in mid-April, British folk star Newton Faulkner
hit UK roads to give fans a chance to hear some of the new album,
while treating the crowd to some of his best-known tracks as well.
Practically skipping out on stage and grinning ear-to-ear the whole
night, he played an absolutely superb set.
First
up was Newcastle songstress Amy Holforth, who coped very well in
front of an already large crowd, despite it being the early part of
the evening. Blessed with a remarkably powerful and soulful voice,
she delivered a composed performance full of beautiful and personal
tracks. Very well received by the crowd, her set started the evening
on a very good note - **** 4 stars
The
second support slot came from Blackburn-based singer Charlotte
O'Connor. Giving a more quirky and distinctive performance, her set
did not go down quite as well as Holforth – seemingly beset with
nerves, hers was a performance that may be in need of more refinement
and vocal control in the future. Nonetheless, her slightly eccentric
songs went down fairly well, and although she maybe would have been
better suited as first support, her set was still decent - *** 3
stars
Testament
to his popularity, by the time Faulkner skipped out onto stage the
Open was packed out, and he played a fantastic show that went down an
absolute storm with the fans. Smiling constantly, cracking jokes and
generally chatting with the crown between every song, there's a sense
that he could play Wembley Stadium and still make it feel like a very
personal and intimate show. With a mix of his best-known tracks, such
as fan favourite 'People Should Smile More' and 'UFO', and a
selection of new songs from the as-yet unreleased album, he dazzled
Norwich with his feel-good music. Also an incredibly clever guitarist
and musician, he utilised a kick drum, some effects pedals and his
signature guitar tapping/hitting the guitar body for further drum
beats to add remarkable depth to his set, considering it was just the
man himself. Also playing covers of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop' and
Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition', he finished the evening with his
classic 'Dream Catch Me' and another new song, putting the perfect
finishing touches to a great evening.
