Ben Howard Review

An unbelievable performance. Ben Howard certainly lived up to expectation.

The support was Willy Mason (see link for review).

The sold out gig was held at Bowery Ballroom (NYC) which is a great venue in terms of intimacy and atmosphere. The crowd, unsurprisingly, pretty young - made up of mostly twenty/ thirty year olds - were all there to see one guy, the folk singer from Devon.

There is no doubt that Ben Howard's popularity has soared after the release of his singles "The Wolves" and "Keep Your Head Up." With the release of his album"Every Kingdom" in the US yesterday there is no doubt his fan base will continue to grow.

As soon as Howard stepped onto the stage he was an instant hit. His obvious charm and genuine shock and excitement to play in front of a sell out crowd in "The Big Apple" was clear and endearing to see. Not only were his vocals flawless but he was hilarious and had the whole crowd begging to hear more.

The highlight of the night for me was when he played "The Wolves." From the level of cheers he received when he began singing this song, it was apparent it was the crowds fav too! His ability to interact with the crowd particularly stood out during this song when he had the entire room singing back to him "love, love, love."

A definate must see. You would be mad to skip this gig. Get tickets now - its a must!!!

For tour dates check out my previous post: http://musicgigsnfestivals.blogspot.com/2011/12/ben-howard.html

Feist

Leslie Feist, otherwise known as the Canadian singer/songwriter Feist is someone you should definitely check out.

Similar artists to Feist include Lykke Li, Cat Power and The Broken Social Scene.

This indie/folk singer has released a number of great singles such as "How Come You  Never Go There," "I feel it all," and "1,2,3,4." In addition to her singles, Feist has released four great albums, "Monarch," "Let It Die," "The Reminder" and the most recent "Metals."

With her distinct voice and folk melodies, Feist has certainly attracted a huge fan base, and it comes as no surprise that her gigs her often sold out.

Tour Dates:
25th March. Royal Albert Hall - London, UK
26th March.  Manchester Apollo - Manchester, UK
27th March. Royal Concert  Hall - Glasgow, UK

For more information regarding tickets and N.America tour dates check out: http://www.tourtracker.com/artist/feist/2178234/

William Fitzsimmons

 

William Fitzsimmons, a folk singer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is defiantly someone to check out. 

To date,Fitzsimmons has released five albums "When We Are hosts," "Goodnight." "Sparrow and the Crow," "Derivatives" and "Gold in the Shadow," and has had a number of his singles aired on popular shows such as Grey's Anatomy and One Tree Hill. 

Although I have not been fortunate to see William Fitzsimmons live, I am eager to do so one day. William Fitzsimmons is the perfect choice for those days you find yourself pondering and reflecting about life - deep I know, but we've all been there! Fitzsimmons songs are all very honest, for example the album "The Sparrow and the Crow" is about his failed marriage and the process he went through to start life over again. It is this pure emotion and  honesty that make his songs that much more captivating and meaningful to the listener. 

So if you are seeking a chilled evening listening to soul wrenching music from a hugely talented and charismatic guy, this is certainly the gig for you. 

  

Tour dates: 

18th Feb. Bowery Ballroom - NYC 

22nd Feb. Water Street Music Hall - NY

For more information about his European and North America tour check out: http://www.myspace.com/williamfitzsimmons/shows