Live review: David Gray at the iTunes Festival 2014

Last seen performing in Royal Albert Hall earlier this June, David Gray was back in London again as one of the acts in this year’s iTunes Festival. As always, the well acclaimed English singer songwriter never fails to deliver high quality performance. Gray’s live singing was as good as you can get from his albums; however the show needs more momentum to draw audience together.

As part of the promotion for his latest album “Mutineers”, Gray began the first hour of the show with solely a full set of new songs. “Mutineers” is one refreshing album with the theme of the nature, letting go and staying hopeful. “Birds of the High Arctic” was the first track he played, followed by “Back in the World”, “As the Crow Flies”, etc. This new album continues Gray’s usual song writing style, simple lyrics and melody, together with Gray’s lingering voice and piano playing, plus beautiful cello on the side, built up a dreamy, atmospheric tone for the show.

Despite the fact that the album’s so beautifully crafted, audience was generally less familiar with the new materials. Not until in the second hour of the show Gray revisited some of his best known songs starting from “Alibi”, audience got more engaged, energy of the house was going up from here. Highest point of the show was definitely when Gray went through a list of long awaited hits from “White Ladder” in one go, including “This Year’s Love”, “Sail Away”, “Please Forgive Me” and “Babylon”. Gray’s fan certainly left satisfied, though perhaps a rearrangement of the set list and little more song improvisation could add a touch of dynamic to the show.

Performing as the supporting act of the night was Lisa Hannigan, with the company of John Smith on guitar and vocal support. She has the vocal of an angel, so exquisite and sweet, with a guitar in hand she is fully capable to melt your heart in seconds. Hannigan is no doubt a gem in the Irish music scene.

High quality performance but needs more momentum.

Complete Set Lists:

LISA HANNIGAN:
1. LITTLE BIRD
2. PASSENGER
3. PAPER HOUSE
4. OH SLEEP
5. FLOWERS
6. A SAIL
7. SAFE TRAVELS
8. WE, THE DROWNED 9. KNOTS
8. LILLE!

DAVID GRAY:
1. ARCTIC
2. BACK IN THE WORLD
3. AS THE CROW FLIES
4. MUTINEERS
5. LAST SUMMER
6. BEAUTIFUL AGONY
7. MY OH MY
8. FUGITIVE
9. ALIBI
10. NEMESIS
11. GULLS
12. – (Acoustic Solo)
13. – (Piano Solo)
14. THIS YEAR’S LOVE
15. CAKE AND EAT IT
16. GIRL LIKE YOU
17. SAIL AWAY
18. SILVER LINING
19. PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
20. BABYLON
21. TOIL