Live Review

Sarah Blasko – King Tut’s, Glasgow

• 20th Nov 2010

It’s a long way from the summer sun of Sydney to a cold November night in Glasgow, but a large and appreciative crowd were very glad that Sarah Blasko made the trip.

Before Sarah’s excellent set, support act Laura Healy warmed the crowd up nicely with a short but entertaining performance. The local lass was promoting her new single, Not The One, which will be released next week. A bass heavy beat dominates the track but the chorus is catchy.

Laura Healy and her band played a set that varied from country tinged rock, with banjo accompaniment on the opening song, through to slower numbers. But it was the more rocking tracks that allowed her to use her strong voice to best effect. Lost At Sea, which is also on the single release, was the standout song for me.

Sarah Blasko, together with her cast of backing musicians, took to a colourful stage, with the normal lighting supplemented by large, colourful beads draped over the mic stands. Blasko has a flair for the dramatic; she is a performer who uses all the tricks of the trade to complement her excellent voice.

The set started slowly, although there was no doubting the quality of Blasko’s vocals as she stood centre stage, arms extended and voice soaring. She lives her songs rather than merely singing them, the emotion on her face clear for all to see.

Hold On My Heart was the first standout of the evening, with Blasko backed by cabaret style piano, once again playing to the audience in fine style. We Won’t Ruin was also expertly delivered, with atmospheric vocals over a heavy base beat.

Blasko is a confident performer, using all of the small stage available to her to best effect. She also showed a comedic side, dealing with crowd banter quite effortlessly. This is a woman who is very much at home in the spotlight. Although the crowd’s impromptu chorus of Flower of Scotland did throw her just a little.

The songs continued to flow as Blasko showed the variety of her vocal delivery, from nightclub style singer to heartbroken woman. And she also took to the piano for Into Light, displaying a softer style with just a slight smoky edge to her voice. The set was closed with a powerful and emotional rendition of No Turning Back.

An encore was a must. Blasko seemed surprised by the many requests shouted towards her, commenting that she didn’t realise that so much of her back catalogue was so well known. She responded by adding the excellent Explain to the scheduled Night and Day, with both songs delivered in her inimitable dramatic and heartfelt style.

This was a fine night of entertainment from Sarah Blasko, combining excellent music with the flair and passion of an excellent performer. If you haven’t seen Sarah Blasko live, you are missing out – and should look to rectify the omission as soon as possible.