Live

Corinne Bailey Rae: Royal Festival Hall, London 21/04/22

"We've missed playing in front of people. As a musician it's important to connect with people" enthused Corinne Bailey Rae, before jumping from the stage to ask audience members where they were from. She certainly connected with her audience. This was a homecoming performance to savour with Bailey Rae drinking in the atmosphere while filling London's Royal Festival Hall with love.

Also, ready to impress, were band members Mikey Wilson (drums), John McCullum (guitar) and husband Steve Brown on keys.
Opening with "Been To The Moon" and "Closer", as she did at her last London show in 2019, Bailey Rae ran through a 13-track set. No new material for this post-pandemic tour. "Till It Happens To You" saw her taking to the acoustic guitar to showcase her effortlessly soulful voice.

The upbeat "Paris Night/New York Mornings" prefaced the beautiful "Hey, I Won't Break Your Heart" which had Bailey Rae baring her soul, revealing another layer of her personality.

Several of the tracks had extended solos from McCullum and Brown, which beautifully meandered. The sound mix had Wilson's drums too prominent and Brown's keyboards too low, but Bailey Rae sparkled as always, as did her green jumpsuit.
Saving the crowd-pleasers until last, she closed with a trio of songs from her debut album; "Trouble Sleeping", "Put Your Records On" and a gorgeous, mournful "Like A Star".

Returning for a striking encore of "The Skies Will Break" it was fitting that her two sleepy young daughters were watching from the side of the stage.
Words CHAZ BROOKS