Richard Hawley’s latest album, In This City They Call You Love, was released a week ago and has received critical acclaim from just about everybody in the music press. So this gig in London’s Eventim Apollo (although it will always be the Hammersmith Odeon to me) was highly anticipated and very exciting.
Hawley is somewhat of a rarity. In the 25 years he has been recording solo material, he has never made a bad album and is steadfast in sticking to what he does best – making ‘50s transatlantic rock and roll and ballads underpinned with lyrics of his love for his hometown, Sheffield.
The stage is set simply with a “Welcome to Sheffield” civic sign and several spotlights, and the venue itself is fizzing with excitement. Hawley and his bandmates come onto the stage to the sound of loud applause and lots of cheers. To the right of the stage, there is an array of guitars for Hawley, and it soon becomes clear that the guitars used by Hawley and his fellow bandmates on either side of him are changed at just about every song.
It must be challenging for a well-established artist like Hawley to please everyone with an ideal set list, but he does a decent job tonight with his choices. There are classic delights from albums like Coles Corner through to more intoxicating offerings from 2012’s Standing At The Sky’s Edge, and the new songs from his latest release have been received extremely well.
The psychedelic “She Brings The Sunlight” opens the show with great energy, closely followed by “Two For His Heels” and “Prism In Jeans” from the new album. The latter is vintage Hawley—a retro ‘50s delight with chiming guitar beats and that rich, velvety voice. The next song gets a huge roar from the audience on its first note—the magnificent “Open Up Your Door.” I feel so lucky to have heard this live—it was cinematically beautiful.
Hawley dazzles with his trademark quiff and sunglasses in a western shirt covered in rhinestones with pink panels. His look is both classic and contemporary. Cool and sharp. The lighting enhances the atmosphere of every song – a backdrop of silver, glitter-ball sparkles accompany the dreamy “Coles Corner”, which adds extra romance. The lush purple and green spotlights provide moody theatrics to “Leave Your Body Behind You”, which is utterly amazing to hear live. I felt the powerful, throbbing guitar beats reverberate inside my chest. Bright spotlights shine bright on the chorus of “Don’t Stare at The Sun”, which is resplendent at the bridge as the guitars glisten and grow in intensity before dying out at the end.
Hawley has five bandmates on stage, including long-term guitar pal Shez Sheridan, but between them all, they create this sumptuous orchestral sound, most notable on the melancholy ballad “Heavy Rain” and the magnificent “Tonight The Streets Are Ours,” which provides a standout moment. I am not ashamed to say I leapt up from my seat at the opening bars of this one—it’s so joyful and amazing to hear live.
The brazen “Alone” soars with orchestral string sounds. Between songs, Hawley’s interactions with the audience are warm and genuine. He admitted he was speechless at the reception he had received in London and called out to us to make sure we vote wisely at the next General Election and ”Get the Tory c**** out”, which got rousing applause. “Just Like The Rain”, which Hawley shares with the audience he wrote when he was 16 and “proves I was a miserable fucker back then as well”, is country with bounce and is optimistic despite the lovelorn lyrics.
Hawley calls for quiet from the audience ahead of “People”, his gentle and affectionate tribute to his beloved Sheffield. You can hear a pin drop as Hawley sings the most sparse and sentimental song of the night. “The Ocean” closes the evening. This song is epic. It’s hypnotic and cathartic and carries a real emotional impact when the orchestral sounds build throughout the song. You feel yourself getting carried away. Hawley sings over and over “Here Come The Waves”. The version performed tonight is longer than normal as the guitars build tension up to breaking point—a perfect storm. Hawley is greeted at the end by a standing ovation and looks genuinely touched.
Richard Hawley’s gig at the Eventim Apollo was a spellbinding experience. He is one of the most extraordinary artists of his generation. With every song he sings, he evokes emotion from the audience. This performance revealed why he remains so popular. Seeing Richard Hawley live is nostalgic, emotive, and inherently romantic. It’s therapy for the heart, soul, and mind; the experience stays with you for a long time.
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