Following
the Release of Newton Faulkner's latest album
called 'Studio Zoo', that was out late 2013, The
Folk Rock singer and Guitarist from Surrey is
back touring all around the UK for 'The Studio
Zoo Tour'. When i got asked to Photograph one
of Newton's shows i quickly said yes as I knew
this would be something different to my usual
gigs and i like different.
I attended the packed out Birmingham show at the
O2 Academy, I got there just in time to catch
the main support act for this tour, 'Sam Brookes',
who took centre stage wearing a Country inspired
outfit and
started things off with, which sounded from the
lyrics like a Love Song. I've heard of Sam Brookes
before but have never listened to any of his work,
but after this show i will defiantly be listening
to more. The way be performs on stage, you can
tell he has a great love and passion fo singing
and making music, He made the crowd move with
his touching lyrics and raw but very talented
voice, Sam really has a great future ahead of
him.
Finally,
it was time for the main reason everyone was here
for. As the lights dimmed and turned to darkness,
a loveable, Ginger, Dreadlocked, Newton Faulkner
and his guitar took to a small and higher stage
that had been set up to look almost like a living
room that had been turned into a practice room
in the middle of the main stage.
I thought it looked like this as it had a selection
of different acoustic guitars, a microphone and
a drum, but also had a book case and a kind of
jukebox in the back. Either side of Newton's small
stage were smaller stages that had just enough
room for backing guitarists, singers and other
backing musicians. This stage set up was very
new and different to me as I'm used to seeing
and photographing bands that just walk wherever
they wanted to on stage. Because of this i found
it really easy to photograph as Newton didn't
move much or run about on stage which was great
and at the end of the 3 song i was allowed to
photograph for, i quickly ran up stairs to the
balcony where i got a full view of the stage and
the crowd so i took some sneaky photos up there
to get a different point of view.
Newton
Faulkner has a different and unique way of playing
live to his crowd, during many of his songs, he
produced sounds from his guitar like singing into
it and tapping it to make a beat, which most people
would not even imagine possible to make a song
using these techniques, but i guess that why his
fans love him so much because he is so unique
in so many different ways.
Newton also has a different way of reaching out
to his fans in the crowd, he tells them about
his life and actually talks to them like he is
having a conversation, with people screaming back
from the crowd that are getting involved with
his conversations. He even asked them if it was
alright if he could quickly pour him self a cup
of tea, (Going back to the
conversation part), i heard someone scream in
reply ' 2 sugars please' as he poured his tea
and drank it in front of everyone.
I then realised that Newton Faulkner isn't just
a Great musician, he is also a really good Entertainer,
this is why he has such a big fan base. He not
only had the crowd either in laughter or tears
but also gave the whole place a relaxed atmosphere.
As well as playing mostly songs from his newest
album 'Studio Zoo' he also mixed in his well-loved
classics such as 'Teardrop' and 'Clouds' for his
new found fans and old, so they would both enjoy
the show, he even dropped some unexpected covers
in there too.
During
various different songs he was joined on stage
by some familiar faces, one of which was his support
act, 'Sam Brookes' who accompanied him with backing
vocals and on Guitar and also there was an appearance
from ' Beth Porter' on the Cello.
I really enjoyed watching Newton live as I think
everyone there did also and if I ever get another
chance to go to one of his shows again I definitely
will, i rate this performance 4/5 because of his
pure entertainment skills as well as being a great
musician and having an amazing stage presence,
also for being so involved with the crowd and
interacting with them so much.
Near the end of the show, Newton was up to his
old tricks, he got off stage, stood with his back
to the crowd and had someone take a photo of him
standing with his crowd.
Sam Brookes 4/5
Newton Faulkner 4/5
Review By Jazza Wallace
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