|
Shepherds Bush - London
| April 20 |
=Notes=
In April of 2006, Charlotte took to the road with her band
for a tour of the UK - her first since the release of the
'Tissues and Issues' Album.
For the mid date on her tour, Charlotte rocked the Shepherds
Bush Empire in London. Charlotte last performed at this
venue in November 2005 as part of Radio 1's Chart Show Live
event. This is a great venue for connecting with the crowd
who were singing and dancing throughout the show. With
standing on ground level and seating in the tiers, the rock
venue atmosphere was quite a contrast with the more formal
arrangement of St Davids Hall the next evening.
=Photos=
  
 
  
=Articles=
|
Evening Standard
| April 21 -
Rock chick makes the grade |
by Chris Elwell-Sutton
For the girl who sang for the late Pope John Paul and whose
fans include The Queen, one might expect a show at Shepherds
Bush Empire to be a piece of cake. But it was a nervous
Charlotte Church who took the stage last night, as she
promoted her new album and - more importantly - her dramatic
switch from classical to pop.
Opening with the sexy, funky powerhouse that was last year's
hit single Call My Name, she attempted to set out her stall
from the off as a rock chick. But something wasn't right.
Sporting a tight Rolling Stones T-shirt and fitted jeans
that seemed to fit neither with her eclectic musical style
nor her curvaceous figure, she seemed happy to have her
voice drowned out by her band and backing singers.
Nonetheless, her connection with the audience was immediate
and potent, and with constant shouts of encouragement, her
fans (mainly female) willed her to succeed. In the end, she
did.
On Finding My Own Way, she hit the high notes effortlessly;
likewise on a cover of Prince's 1986 hit Kiss. Ironically,
though, her technical mastery sometimes felt a little too
effortless.
Passionate, soulful rock vocalists such as Janis Joplin made
you feel as though that top note might just kill them.
Church's relative ease in these matters took something away
from the songs' impact.
Halfway thorough the show, as she performed Confessional
Song, however, it all came together. Accompanied only by an
amplified acoustic guitar, she seemed at last able and
willing to let her stunning, powerful voice ring out.
She betrayed her classical roots with a touch of vibrato
here and there, but the folky beauty of the song remained
intact. Her Boy George-penned ballad Even God produced
another spine-tingling moment, perhaps a sign of the branch
of pop that may suit her best.
Vocally, a seasoned professional, in terms of rock 'n' roll
stagecraft, endearingly wet behind the ears, Church
undoubtedly has room for improvement, but she has boldly
embarked on an exciting new journey. And from the way her
fans screamed for more at the end, it was clear that they
are prepared to follow her wherever it might lead.
|
BBC Newsround
| April 21 -
Gig review: Charlotte Church |
When and where
Thursday 20 April at the Shepherd's Bush Empire
First impressions
The intro tape featured Charlotte singing opera-style during
her Voice of an Angel years - then suddenly the live band
kicked in and Charlotte appeared on stage in t-shirt and
jeans as a fully-fledged pop star!
The packed venue went wild. She's a popular girl.
Best Songs?
Charlotte kicked off with Call My Name and the gig featured
most songs from her debut album, Tissues and Issues.
Charlotte said she'd learnt a few covers "so you won't get
bored!"
Best of these were Prince's Kiss and an old Kate Bush song
The Man With The Child In His Eyes.
But her own Confessional Song was one of the high points.
Audience response
Charlotte seemed genuinely overwhelmed by the fanatical
response.
She came across really naturally on stage and chatted away
jokily between songs like she was talking to her best mates.
She apologised to the front row for wearing the same "smelly
clothes" from a gig in Glasgow.
But everyone was in awe of that incredible voice.
Best bit of whole gig
It's not every day a singer on stage points out their mum
and dad in the audience, but Charlotte did - and soon her
parents were up on their feet and dancing along to Crazy
Chick.
And at the end of her encore she sang Chaka Khan's Ain't
Nobody Loves Me Better with some lingering looks at her
rugby star boyfriend Gavin Henson.
He was sitting next to her mum and dad - and wasn't dancing
at all!
Any slip-ups?
Not really. Apart from disappearing off stage during a long
instrumental break to change into an unflattering kimono.
Overall?
With a live band, Charlotte comes across a bit edgier than
on the album. She possesses a singing talent that puts many
other pop singers to shame.
NR rating:
|
the Guardian
| April 22 - Charlotte Church |
|
Sunday Mirror
| April 23 - Charlotte Church Caught Live! |
=Related Features=
Concert in
the Clyde Auditorium - Glasgow on April 18th.
Concert in Cardiff - Wales on
April 21st.
>>Visit
Sony Music's Official Tissues and Issues Site
|
