Project Description

GEORGE EZRA

@ MARGARET COURT ARENA

02/02/19

(Live Review)

Reviewer: Kelsey Hentschel

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I first saw George Ezra 2 years ago performing a charming mid-day set at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, and then once again last year at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre. It has been so heart-warming to witness the UK Heart-throbs drastically rising fan base expand so rapidly across multiple countries. Ezra’s album ‘Wanted on Voyage’ was 2014’s third biggest-selling album by a solo artist (behind only Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith), while his latest album ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ was 2019’s bestselling new album holding the song of the summer I’m sure we’re all a little bit sick of, ‘Shotgun’.

Packed into the otherwise bland venue which is Margaret Court Arena were all the fans. Having been assigned a GA floor ticket, I was squished into the allocated standing area like a sardine, concert goers were spilling drinks everywhere as lively fans jostled for a position in one another’s personal space. This crowd was great news for the George Ezra (the gig sold out), but bad news for anyone under 5ft 4” hoping for a glimpse of the man himself.

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We were greeted into the venue by opening act Eves Karydas, who has had a whirlwind of success these past 12 months snagging a spot on the Falls Festival line-up, as well as opening for the likes of Cub Sport and Dua Lipa. Strutting out on stage in a cropped red tee and a flowing mini skirt, I was reminded of a young inexperienced Dua Lipa. Eves is no stranger to warming up the crowd thus I expected much more from the doe eyed singer. She opened with her 2017 single ‘There For You’. The singers attempt at dancing involved swaying her hips (often offbeat) and jumping backwards across the stage. Despite her undeniable vocal talent, it is clear that Karydas needs much more practice before she looks comfortable on stage. The singer gave some backstory to her track ‘Further Than The Planes Fly’ which I always enjoy, through the set’s ups and downs her music had the strangers around me dancing together. From what she delivered, she had the crowd grooving and ready for George!

Accompanied by his six-piece band, they sported all-black ensembles, including George, looking like a cohesive unit ready to put on an amazing performance, and that they did. Although he has matured as a musician since the first time I saw him, it is still hard to believe the deep, soothing voice that stems from that baby-faced 25-year-old. He walks out to euphoric screaming and jumps right into a staple from the second album. A song about not letting things get you down, ‘Don’t Matter Now’. And with that we were off.

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He flies through a seamless set sharing spots on the setlist equally between the first and second albums.  Moments before George transitioned into the beginnings of track ‘Barcelona’ he gave us a little backstory on this track. He mentioned buying a ticket overseas with nothing planned except his accommodation, He was to stay with a stranger he met on the Internet. This strangers name was Tamara, Hence the title of the singers latest album ‘Staying at Tamara’s’. I enjoyed hearing about how he came up with the idea for recent smash ‘Paradise’ while vomiting on the tour bus. It seems that the lengthy anecdotes helpfully disguise the occasional lulls in the setlist before the steady arrival of the bangers.

Inevitably, the crowd create chaos for single ‘Paradise’ within milliseconds of the opening words “My Love…”. Classic ‘Blame It On Me’ excites the crowd again. The added brass section of his band gives this song a special element live. Filled with trumpet additions, rhythmic guitar and quick spouting of lyrics, this song will forever be one of his best (In my opinion). The entire crowd can be heard singing “What you’re waiting for?”.

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One of my favourite moments from the show was when Ezra transported us back to his 2014 album with delicate track, affectionately named ‘Song 6’ – a song which is sometimes forgotten amongst his more popular work but sounds beautiful none the less. Right before the encore George played ‘Budapest’. The song that I, and perhaps 90% of the crowd first heard from the Hertford-reared singer many years ago. ‘Budapest’ was not inspired by the Hungarian capital – he explains how he was meant to go there while travelling Europe, but due to getting a bit too intoxicated in Sweden after he “bought a bottle of rum off a man in a park” he was unable to make his train the next day thus skipping the city entirely. It’s a song about all the things he would give up for someone, despite not owning any of the things he lists: “My house in Budapest” being an obvious one. The crowd obviously sing every lyric along with George Ezra, even repeating the chorus a few extra times at the end.

It is worth saying that throughout all the showmanship and the crowd interaction his voice sounds immaculate. His vocals sound better in front of 7,500 screaming fans than they did during his immaculate festival set in Glasgow. I don’t think it is too far to describe him as the best vocalist in popular music today. No one else even comes close.

Taking a quick break, the crowd relax slightly knowing fine well Ezra would not leave without playing a few more tracks. Unsurprisingly he uses his encore to play the upbeat singalongs ‘Cassy-O’ and the immensely popular ‘Shotgun’. George Ezra could quite easily have been a one hit wonder but with a successful new album and a loyal fanbase his worth looks to be constantly on the rise. Although far removed from the bluesy-indie style of that first show I saw him at years ago, his prestige as a songwriter, vocalist and musician should never be questioned.

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