Live Review @ O2 Academy [1, 2 and 3] (Birmingham) - 27 Apr 2011
Live Review
<p>A dynamic and entrancing performance from a stunning lady with a stunning voice, Saint Saviour and band provided a disappointingly small but eager and adoring Birmingham crowd with a far from disappointing absolute treat.On fine form from the moment she took to the stage, Saint Saviour began her set with 'Red Sun Rise', a stunning tribute to Japan during which she stylishly pranced round the stage with entrancing flowing movements accessorised by a fan. Wearing a rainbow coloured floaty dress, Saint Saviour danced elegantly and in perfectly mesmerising sync with her music, making the stage her own and introducing a strong visual element to her performance. This continued throughout the entirety of the short but perfectly formed set whilst her tight band provided slick electronic beats, gestures of atmospheric guitar and resonant bass along her and her trusty MacBook. Even during piano-led numbers, Saint Saviour, though stationary at the instrument, was equally as active and entrancing to watch as well as listen to. Later in the set, the bass player switched to cello and underpinned her soft angelic vocals with a low resonant rumble offering another musical colour to the performance.
Fresh from appearances with Groove Armada and providing tour support for Hurts, Saint Saviour's confidence was entirely unfaulted, her performance one of much conviction and devotion with an outstanding, distinctive, strong vocal that soars effortlessly from her petite build. Touring to promote her recently released superb EP 'Anatomy', the evenings' set list featured all of its' contents, from the catchy, electro-blend accompanied 'This Ain't No Hymn' with its soaring lead vocal melody perfectly pitched and further emphasising Saint Saviour's vocal flexibility and precision, through to the contrasting more down-tempo 'Reasons' which she dedicated to all her girls. 'Reasons' showcases soulful vocals fit to rival Adele or any of her female contemporaries that ooze effortlessly over a gently undulating piano accompaniment, then, during its chorus, the band also took to their microphones recreating the tracks' beautiful chorus of three or four part vocal harmonies.
From a full band, pounding, electro-powered track to a beautiful, catchy yet delicate, down-tempo ballad within the space of a few moments and then back again to the sets (pre-encore) powerfully-chorused 'eighties sounding conclusion, 'Birdsong', Saint Saviour's set perfectly showcased her flexibility, diversity and dynamic vocal and performing ability; her ability to flit effortlessly between octaves from a Kate Bush-like swooping falsetto to a much lower, richer, more soulful tone. Both on record and, as tonight well and truly proved, in her stunning live performance, Saint Saviour is a real talent; superb.
