The 17th gig on our A to Z musical adventure was ……
Back in 2019 I attended a Black Pumas gig in Glasgow’s Audio, which has a capacity of around 150. Their debut album had been released earlier in the summer and Faye from Some Great Reward had suggested I might like the album. I did and, when notice of the gig was announced, tickets were duly purchased to beat the crowd!
It would be kind to say it was a horrible night in Glasgow and the Black Pumas performed to a sparse crowd of hardy souls. To their eternal credit they conjured up a magnificent set of soulful rock music and I’m delighted to say afterwards I did predict big things for them!
To be able to stand within handshaking distance of Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada seems implausible now, as the Grammy Award nominations, performances for a presidential inauguration and global recognition has beckoned since then.
They have also released their second album Chronicles Of A Diamond, my thoughts on that here, to critical acclaim and embarked on a mammoth tour, at least of European and American theatres which would dwarf that night in Audio.
What struck me most was the confidence that Eric Burton exudes during the entire performance. It’s not arrogance, if anything he is constantly reminding the audience of how he is only one part of the whole that makes Black Pumas, whether that be the backing singers, keyboards, drums, percussion or bass. Not to forget the support act and the audience themselves who are encouraged to sway, clap and sing along as if on cue.
And what of Adrian Quesada? He stood left of centre stage. Guitars and pedals to hand and feet. No mean guitar frills or solos. A man at peace with the songs he had done so much to produce. While too far away to see, I’m sure there would have been a warm smile of satisfaction or two throughout the show.
From the opening chords of Fire to the closing moments of worldwide hit Colours, Burton displayed the full dynamic range of his vocals that sit well with the Soul/Jazz/Funk/Rock sounds that the band have become known for.
Although the tour is primarily a focal point for the latest album, the band acknowledge the debt they have to the many songs on the debut album that have led to Sold Out signs becoming common place in theatres with Oct33, Know You Better, Stay Gold and Touch The Sky greeted with a familiarity that confirms the successful foundations laid down in 2019.
Of the recent songs, my personal highlights were Angel, Ice Cream (Pay Phone) and the album’s opening track More Than A Love Song
And, as we approached a playing time of around 75 minutes, the theatre erupted to the opening clicks of Colours. Maybe some of the crowd just came to hear this one song live. Whatever the reason though it finally brought the circle to their feet to join in with those nearer the action in the stalls. A communal, anthemic song that Burton teased the best out of for several minutes longer than any vinyl version.
Thank you, London, you were magnificent. Good night.
The band exited the stage as the crowd cheered for the expected encore for a 5 full minutes until Burton appeared immediately to my right on the first rows of the circle, a spotlight on him with guitar in hand. Known for his rendition of “Fast Cars” by Tracy Chapman, he gave the audience what they wanted in all its glory, the spotlight for once moved to the solo performer.
A quick dash back downstairs, the band back in position, the final tune, Rock and Roll was belted out.
Was it Rock and Roll? Was it Soul? Was it Funk?
A Black Pumas gig is a generous mix of all these genres and more.
Via a pandemic, they have travelled from the club scene to major theatres like the Hammersmith Apollo holding around 5,000 in just under five years. The timeframe until they headline major festivals and arenas will be far less.
Support Act
MRCY
For producer/guitarist Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson, music is a place to belong. They formed MRCY to create a shared space of soulful self-expression that combines the timeless musical warmth of Marvin Gaye with the modern sensibility of Khruangbin.
In a relatively short time, this was only their 8th show together, and with limited time time on stage, they showed how good they could become in the months ahead. If their last two singles are anything to go by, we’ll hear a lot more of them.
Album review?
Some thoughts on a great follow up to their debut album here. Depending on your own musical likes, there’ll be something here to hang your hat on.
About the venue
Hammersmith, now Eventim Apollo
Date 24 March 2024
Picture, Address and Capacity Details, Description
Eventim Apollo is one of London’s major live entertainment venues. Located in Hammersmith, West London it is one of the UK’s largest and best-preserved original theatres first opening on the 28th of March, 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema with Tom Walls “A Night Like This” and Helen Twelvetrees in “Bad Company”.
It was designed on behalf of a joint collaboration between exhibitor Israel Davis and the Gaumont British Theatres chain by renowned theatre architect Robert Cromie.
Designed in the Art Deco style original features included 3,487 seats, a large 35 foot deep stage, an excellent fan shaped auditorium (allowing remarkable intimacy and excellent sightlines), twenty dressing rooms, a Compton4Manual/15 Ranks theatre organ and a café/restaurant located on the balcony foyer area.
The auditorium can hold a capacity of 3655 fully seated and 5300 part standing.
From 1962 the venue was named the Hammersmith Odeon and played host to many legendary acts of the day, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Bob Marley. It screened its last regular film on 8th August 1984, “Blue Thunder” starring Roy Scheider.
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