Live
London Grammar
Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London
October 21 2017
Words: Alison Mack
London Grammar returned to their roots to make this night one of quiet lustre, from the ethereal - and much copied over the last years - voice of Hannah Reid as she delivered the beautiful lyrical content of the 16-song set, to multi-instrumentalist Dominic “Dot” Major and guitarist Dan Rothman, playing their vital supporting roles.
Tonight they own the sprawling Hammersmith venue, and give a masterclass in performance on a stage in front of a backdrop screen of moving visuals.
From the uplifting slow-burner ‘Who Am I’ from their new album 'Truth Is A Beautiful Thing', they reel out a host of songs from this and their 2013 debut, now so familiar to all.
Their first foray into the public domain, the evocative fan favourite 'Hey Now', followed by the ambience of ‘Stay Awake’ with its layers of building instrumentation, and of course ‘Wasting My Young Years’ and ‘Sights’, all perfectly defined by crystal clear vocals mixed with a slumping drum pattern and ethereal keys.
Towards the end of the set, Reid's a capella of 'Rooting For You', the opening track on their return album this year, is set hauntingly against a smoke layered red lit stage, during which the audience is silent virtually to a man. Older number 'Strong' ups the game, where by now Reid is clearly in her element as she leads the crowd in a vocal singalong at its end.
Playing a three number encoure of 'Bones of Ribbon', a spellbinding 'Oh Woman Oh Man' with Reid delicately working piano notes, and finale 'Metal & Dust', where the audience break out their inner dance child, to close on what has been an undoubted magical evening.
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