Promoting the release of his debut album ‘Phases’ tonight, BBC Introducing’s Artist of the Year and BRITs Critic’s Choice Award nominee, Jack Garratt, plays Manchester’s Albert Hall and It’s a huge sell-out.
Jack Garratt a modern / electronic ‘one-man band’ set-up, with his mix of guitar, piano, electro, trap, acoustic and sub-heavy bass. On-stage enclosed in a cocoon of instruments with his playthings at arm’s length, along with the industrial looking stage set, we know, tonight we are in for something big.
The diverse Buckinghamshire musician begins his set with a Piano intro, under the spotlight he has an incredible sense of rhythm as he plays and moves.
Jack shouts “Manchester, how we doing?!” Straight into dance track ‘Chemical’ which is powerful and unique and has the crowd instantly engaged, he takes off his jacket “Thank you very much!”
“Lights up for the audience, you having a good time tonight? Thank F^&#! How beaut is this venue?”
Breaking into tonight’s second track ‘Breath Life’ the crowd immediately sing back the lyrics to him ‘Tell her I owe it to her’ Jack cackles loving every minute. The crowd is now sea of bopping heads.
Between tracks he sounds a party horn clip from his sound desk and jokes along with the sound tech guy (Brian) as their timing is more than out.
Jack has a sing off with the crowd as he starts track ‘Weathered’ with an acoustic version, as the track builds and you can really hear his vast vocal strength, his heart-wrenching voice travels the old chapels walls creating goose bumps within the crowd. Jack receives a massive applause and he thanks the crowd again “Thank you so much”
Jacky Boy is certainly very playful with tonight’s audience, sporting a Looney Tune’s T-shirt paired with a signature trucker cap and a bushy beard, Young Mr Garratt also gets personal, telling the crowd stories of his journey “only a year ago I finished a five day UK tour in Manchester’s Castle Hotel and I couldn’t push 8 tickets“
Mid set, he waves to each side of the venue and politely asks the crowd “Can I do a cover?” of course the crowd have no objection and reply with a huge cheer. A drum and bass version of Craig David’s “Seven Days” mash-up with Justin Timberlake’s “Señorita” has the whole crowd partying with smiles, reminiscing the 90’s. Someone from the crowd shouts at the end of the song “I love you Jack” as Jack finishes the piano solo, he reply’s “I love you too”
As he chats some more with the crowd before starting ‘Fire’ his latest release off the album. An extended intro gives Jack the opportunity to showcase his musical skills, alternating between drums and keys, as he moves from one to the other the crowd are mesmerised. He continues to impress when he breaks into a rap at the end.
A more mellow and moody vibe fills the Albert Hall as Jack plays ‘The Love Your Given’ he is very appreciative of his fans “Thank you so much, to every single one of you for listening” Jack shouts “This is my last song!”
The intro to ‘Worry’ starts with a guitar solo, as he plays into a huge spotlight behind, creating giant sized shadows of himself of the Albert Halls walls. The gut-wrenching guitar riffs have the whole upper tier on their feet for the first time tonight. He holds nothing back, as he changes tone, from quiet love ballad to foot-stomping electro – dubstep.
Jack takes place at the front of the stage to thank the crowd one last time.
Although he didn’t play favourite ‘Water’ tonight, it was a strong performance and all round good guy vibes. Its fair to say Jack is (if not already) going to be a huge star.
