Thursday 1st May - Big Top
Following up her successful show
at the Jazz Arena last year, Laura Mvula returned to Cheltenham Jazz Festival
this year with a bigger stage, bigger voice and (if possible) a bigger heart
than before.
Selling out a 1300-seater venue
is one thing, but being able to give a powerful yet delicate performance that
makes each listener feel like they are having a private concert in the comfort
of their own home is another.
For the vast majority of the
performance, the audience remained pin-droppingly silent until ‘Green Garden’ pivoted things around to a more
energetic groove, with her open invitation to the audience to dance, clap their
hands and join her on stage if they wanted (“I’m not joking” she assured them)
was met with around 20 energised participants getting up on stage with her band
and dancing, clapping their hands and not believing their luck!
The stage was quite bare compared
to Jamie’s big band ensemble playing the same venue yesterday, with her accompaniment
of strings, harp and drum melting into a beautiful wash of sound, which often
hinted at a fairy tale world that she might be singing about, particularly in ‘Like
the Morning Dew’ and ‘Can’t Live With the World’.
With her knee-length vintage floral
dress, a long black wig and high heels, Laura’s appearance demanded the
attention of the audience, and her music had them captivated from start to
finish; the exposed vocals leading up to the first chorus of ‘Sing to the Moon’
were delicate and poised, certainly bringing goose bumps all over.
Laura talked comfortably to the
audience, her audience, as if they were far fewer in number, introducing her
songs with comments about the things that she missed on tour in America: “grey
clouds, cool air and warm faces”, and how she appreciated an audience that
really listens and doesn’t just sit there drunk shouting out “Play Green
Garden!”
Her set showcased her vocal abilities, as well
as what can be done with a simple string accompaniment, which was both emotive
and mesmerizing in places. Her gentle piano playing and soft vocal delivery in
‘Diamonds’ still filled the arena to the back, whilst the shuffle beat in ‘She’
had a real swing to it which contrasted with the overall stripped back sound.
One thing is for certain; she will surely be welcomed back to Cheltenham with
wide open arms!
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