Having never been to the Barbican, I wasn't sure what to expect and looking around it seems like a slightly odd venue for a rock concert. The stage is really low and the seats are generous but the auditorium is very steep so it felt more like a cinema than a concert hall. This made for a slightly uncomfortable start for me because I wasn't sure whether I was allowed to stand up and I cannot imagine sitting through a rock show clapping politely. That said, the upside was that the sight lines near the front certainly are exceptional and it almost didn't feel like the band were on a stage at all, rather they were just playing right in front of you. Any concerns were proven to be unfounded by the end of the gig as the place was rocking.
The set was unusual with table lamps and chairs with cushions on to resemble a lounge but it actually worked really well once the music kicked in. This was not an XF show, indeed not a pop show at all, the music came directly from a live band comprising musicians that Matt has known for years (albeit extremely accomplished ones) and that helped make it seem like have been playing together for years. There are no dancers, no backing tape and no costume changes, just a band on the stage doing what they do best. Not that he needed any of that. For me, artists that feel the need for these extras, often do so because either their songs or their live performance skills are not up to captivating an audience for the length of a show. Cardle doesn't have this problem, his voice live is among the very best I have ever heard; he and his band are skilled musicians and his songs don't disappoint.
In the past, for me, his weakness has been as a frontman, having the confidence to demand the audience's attention be on him, but if this show is indicative, he's conquered that in spades.
They open with Stars & Lovers, and upbeat catchy sing along song that works well as an opener. Keeping the tempo up, they move on to the latest single Amazing and then move on to the stand out track on the album Letters which is, as always, incredible. The guitar work by Lorenzo De Feo is outstanding and the band really feed off each other during the instrumental breaks.
Matt's voice and the whole delivery of, particularly the upbeat songs is on a whole different level live to the studio versions and it's clear that on the stage is where he does his best work.
After Letters the pace slows a little with two of the big power ballads from the album Walking on Water and Slowly, again both given another dimension by the band to the slightly fussy arrangements on the album. Matt chats about the songs as he leads into them - and there seems to be a recurring theme - and it's not a happy one.
A very short break to bring on a chair leads to the acoustic set. I wasn't expecting this at all - having seen him play "one man and a guitar" sets, I was a bit surprised when the band stayed on and, bass player Remy swapped his electric base for a double base. The full acoustic arrangement certainly gave the songs more depth than I have heard before. His voice really shines with the understated arrangements and Faithless and Lost and Found were gorgeous.
He moved on to do the one of two covers on the night and the crowd went ballistic as he did his big XF song First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, with just a piano to accompany his soaring vocals. I'm not a fan of this song but even I have to admit that the standing ovation he received for the rendition was well deserved.
Beat of a Breaking Heart is one song on the album I have never really liked, it's almost like his self penned version of First Time, emotional, heartfelt and in my eyes, over-sentimental so I must admit that I was astonished that this, for me, was the absolute highlight of the gig. Starting soft and acoustic with stunning vocals, it changed gear two thirds of the way through into a full on rock track, complete with searing guitar solo. Absolutely incredible!!.
The crowd were really into it by this point and the driving drum beats of closing track, Starlight had the whole crowd on their feet clapping along.
Encores, being an acoustic version of Many of Horror which the crowd sang along to, followed by first single from the album, Run For Your Life had the crowd leaving very happy indeed.
My one slight criticism would be that the set at 1 hour 15 minutes was a little bit short for my liking and a further encore of his cover of Alanis Morrisette's Uninvited would have made the night for me. This is a small thing, however, in the context of the show as a whole which for me showed Matt and his band will be around for a long time.
