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Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
1:52 PM 22nd September 2021
arts

Paloma Faith – Keeping The Faith In Manchester

 
The last 18 months have not been easy for anyone but for a singer to get a bout of Laryngitis when they are at the start of a huge tour is probably akin to a Sommelier losing their sense of taste.

Thankfully Paloma Faith had made a big recovery from the bug that caused her to postpone the previous show, the first of two nights at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

“My voice decided to come back” she enthrals as she greets the audience. For someone who has an opinion on most things, having to write down everything for the last 48 hours must have been a challenge.

Her entrance is dramatic: set against a white curtain back drop she strikes a theatrical pose. The spotlight catches her ginger wig as she wears a dress that could have come from Tinker Bell’s wardrobe.

As she performs the opening track, Last Night On Earth the curtain drops to reveal her 7-piece band. “I want you to party like it’s going to be your last night on earth” she instructs her fans. Not that this was needed - for many it had been their first night out since lockdown.

Cry baby provides an early highlight – after only 3 numbers in she appears to be in her stride with soulful voice matching her confident demeanor.

Her theatrical training has stood her in good stead – elements of mime are evident too throughout the evening especially on Guilty – a track off her last album Infinite Things “I think only 3 people bought it” she jokes.

Sitting around a piano with the rest of the band as Faith performed a medley of her hits worked perfectly, the highs of Stone Cold Sober melted into 30 Minute Love Affair and New York.

Her show musically was as varied as her career, the drum and bass of Changing contrasted with the rock guitar solo of Monster.

As she introduced her cover of Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman her friendly tale of how she sang the song on stage with Khan herself, felt like she was talking to you as her best friend.

By the time the encore of Lullaby was performed the audience were back on their feet for the last dance of the evening. If her voice was being taxed it didn’t show.

A special note too to support act Josef Salvat – his impressive 30 minute set was enthralling, his voice reminded me of Jack Savoretti but with more upbeat songs.

As for Paloma Faith tonight, there was nothing Better Than This.