“Thanks for having me back.” Oh, James. You are so welcome.
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from a James Blake show. I’d mistakenly relegated his second album Overgrown to my personal list of atmospheric background music. That’s not to say I didn’t think he was a stunning vocalist and his hypnotic, electronic soul music wasn’t a worthy listen… but I hadn’t given his talent the full attention it deserved. And, believe me, he deserves it.
The picturesque Palais in all its melodramatic, antique splendour was the perfect setting to absorb a little James and company. Usually packed in like a sardine amongst other pushy sardines; it was a long time since I’d actually sat at a live gig. Not to mention sans drink; you couldn’t take one into the actual theatre. So sober with anticipation (and just actually sober), we took our seats and waited for the attractive, young prodigy to appear.
James on the keyboard with his entourage of drummer and multi-tasking guitarist/synth/keyboard player took to the stage and launched right into it. To me, listening to his music live is like being in some sort of strange, ethereal dream that you desperately don’t want to wake up from in case you miss what’s coming next. It’s practically impossible to tear your eyes away. His voice moved powerfully, slowly and melodically to the shuddering drum beats and electronic sounds, yet it could change so swiftly to a whole other pace. He embraced the loop pedal and used it like a master, layering his high-pitched voice over itself to create a stunning, haunting effect.
But just when I’d settled back into my seat and taken in ‘Limit to Your Love’ (the crowd started cheering like crazy immediately, prompting James to laugh and mutter “wait until I’ve played it!”) he threw in a curve ball. Apparently, the producer has a thing for dance music. DJ sets are his latest venture with his label 1-800-Dinosaur. What came next was surprising. What would’ve been a full-blown dancefest (had the whole crowd not been seated) erupted through the theatre. Heavy electro beats and flashing lights had everybody in awe. It seems James Blake could sing you to sleep or rock out your party. You can’t say he isn’t diverse.
Not long after, the music relaxed again. ‘To The Last’ was so dreamy and atmospheric it could bring you to tears. The obligatory encore eventually came. “It’s such a strange tradition,” the girl next to me remarked and I couldn’t agree more. But in this case, the crowd was aching for more Blake.
‘Retrograde’ came after the encore, then the show finished (forever too soon) with ‘A Case of You’ which James sung alone onstage, bathed in a spotlight. The crowd drunk him up and these last two songs confirmed his voice as the amazing otherworldly entity it is.
But for such a talented young creature, he comes across as a natural, cool, humble guy. Shy, even. Have I mentioned he’s also really cute? The shoulder-shrug and side-to-side wiggle he did throughout the entire show was blissfully uninhibited and strangely sexy. Girls, guys… I’m pretty sure everyone left this show on a musical high and with a serious man crush, later dreaming of waterfalls in slow motion and maps with no ocean.
If his brief affairs with Australia continue, make sure not to miss out on the next chance to fall in love with James Blake.
