John Newman live @ Academy 2, Manchester

When Rudimental’s ‘Feel the Love’ hit the charts last summer, it became one of the biggest selling singles of 2012 and one young man’s voice stood out prominently (watch the group and John playing it live below). The lungs responsible were those of Yorkshire lad John Newman. Fast forward just over a year and the 23 year old has since landed his own chart topping single.

With strong female vocalists having led the pack in recent years, it’s seen a definite gap in the market for a characteristic male voice; something cinematic and compelling. And ticking all the boxes Newman is having a good old shot at filling said void with his saccharine and unique rasp.

Tribute, his debut album also hit the number one spot and with the extent of the queue outside the SU of eager fans awaiting doors, his popularity is abundantly clear. With a stage set-up consisting of a well-oiled four-piece band and two elegant backing singers as well as an embezzled backdrop of his name and chic lighting; it had some real pop star razzmatazz about it, like a Top of The Pops set.

There’s a very obvious depth to Newman’s voice, his ability throughout to reach those ungraspable notes adding anguish and colour to a set that dipped in and out of genres with the subject of love remaining consistent throughout. Taking us on a tempestuous narrative of dejection, defective relationships and gallant emotions; his powerful, soulful nodes giving abundant believability.

Second single ‘Cheating’ was ballsy whilst ‘Goodnight, Goodbye’ escalated with an aerial chorus that was blatantly made to be played live. The bellowing guitar solo and crescendos of ‘Losing Sleep’ saw it go from its up-tempo prelude into an accelerating break-down. Indulgent but lauded.

‘Not Giving In’ and its encouraged sing-along ignited a highly potent response which very nearly rivalled the set-closer. Ending on ‘Love Me Again’ his bluesy growl coupled with the intensely catchy chorus saw his adoring audience leaving with colossal smiles on their faces and with us in no doubt that Newman is primed for big things.

You can now stream John's recent live performance in London with Spotify below.

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