Gig Review: Matt Cardle @ The York Barbican 1/3/12 *****

The winner of the small talent show known as the ‘X Factor’ came to York on Thursday night on the back of a highly successful time period since leaving the show. Matt’s album entitled ‘Letters’ went platinum and while his single releases haven’t set the official charts alight; they have continued to help keep promoting the album. This appears to be on a slight side note something to do with how different genres of music such as R&B, Rap and Pop seem to be riding a wave of popularity and music by talented bands and singer songwriters not been supported in the same way ; with the obvious exception in the form of Ed Sheeran.

Supported by the talented Roxanne Emery; this proved to be a fantastic opener to the night. Alongside a full band she belted out some songs accompanied by her Guitar whilst revealing some of the inspirations behind them. Recommended.

Digressing slightly, the stage was then cleared and a short interval accompanied the support team setting up the stage in a sort of ‘Living room’ effect. Think of a few rugs scattered around and a few tables with lamps helping to create atmosphere and a relaxed feel.

Cardle’s band were the first to take to the stage again the lighting was subdued and blue lights shone around the stage to the opening ‘riffs’ of ‘Stars and Lovers’ a song with a Coldplay/Snow Patrol vibe a great easy listening song to start the evening. A roar went up from the sell-out crowd as a figure emerged from the side of the stage enshrined by darkness Cardle had arrived. Playing all the songs from his album barring ‘Reflections’ it was clear that he has moved on from the songs that rose him to the public’s attention on a TV show. Gone were the covers that have been included in previous gigs post X Factor; no matter how much the person sat next to me wanted ‘Hit Me Baby’ by Britney Spears.

The only hint to his X Factor past was a stunning cover of Roberta Flack’s ‘First Time’ and it was a massive hit with the crowd who stood up and applauded and shrieked their approval before he opened his mouth to sing the first note. Accompanied by just by a Keyboard, a standing ovation followed a great site to see which Matt was clearly overwhelmed by. The show overall though was as Cardle had promised, in interviews leading up to the nationwide tour a ‘proper rock show’ and the songs on the album were all twisted in ways that seemed to improve them. They were much better for the glitz and glamour of the string sections being stripped back and instead had fantastic Guitar playing by the band which seemed to lift them to a different level. The ‘Live Lounge’ feeling was further emphasised by the stories Cardle told about the lyrics and meanings behind each of the songs. Although however Matt chose to go for quality over quantity as it wasn’t the longest of sets; around thirteen songs which left the audience wanting more and I was personally disappointed he didn’t include his version of ‘Uninvited’ by Alanis Morissette. If you haven’t seen it go onto Youtube its incredible.

The highlight of the night (there were several but still) was the audience reaction to the opening thumping beat of his second single ‘Starlight’ Matt asked for the audience to clap in unison with the beat; what he actually got was nearly the entire audience as one standing up clapping and dancing along, a spectacle to behold.

Crowd favourites ‘When We Collide’ and ‘Run For Your Life’ were the songs that closed the set and evening and went down a storm again. In particular they loved his rendition of his X Factor winners’song which was performed with just an acoustic guitar and a spotlight. The standing ovation swiftly followed and as the crowds shuffled out of the ‘Barbican’ a proper buzz was around the place at just how the recorded versions of his songs do no justice to just how good his voice is live. Superb.