Photo: Chris MacDonald
It’s been over 10 years since Jose Gonzalez flowed into mainstream consciousness with Veneers, an album best known for its two worldwide hits; an immaculate cover of The Knives’ ‘Heartbeats’, and the soothingly melancholic ‘Crosses’. Tonight, the Latino tinged Swede returns to London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire for a sell-out show that basks the venue in a bubble of emotion.
Gonzalez arrives on stage with minimal fuss and bother, invitingly unassuming despite an afro bob hairstyle and Hawaiian shirt. Flanked by guitarists, percussionists and a drummer, the stage fills, but it’s the voice that really captivates.
The crowd call for silence in anticipation, and are swiftly treated to the sambaesque ‘Killing for Love’. Spontaneous finger clicks soon extend from the balcony above, soon spreading to the lower stalls in hypnotic rhythm. Gonzalez’ soft tones underpin all these layers, amplified further by backing vocals and another upward gearshift change on ‘Walking Lightly’, a rousing number from his side project work fronting guitar band Junip. And yet there is trouble in this dreamlike paradise.
It becomes difficult to ignore the casual fans, who through pure lack of respect, persistently act like they are sitting in a pub garden waiting to hear that one song they heard on their favourite American TV show. Frustration eventually boils over and a large number of people demand silence, understanding than an acoustic show such as this needs to be appreciated like fine wine.
As if in gratitude, Gonzalez delivers ‘Crosses’. All the lights dim, aside from one that softly illuminates his face from the darkness. No noise can be heard beyond the stage now, simply enchanted silence. A scream of “I love you” pierces the applause and Gonzalez bows humbly, uttering thanks with a broad smile. ‘What Will’ restarts proceedings with its strong willed call to “free your cause…free your mind’, taken from the recently released Vestiges and Claws LP. Its soft drumbeat points to a potential future trip-hop direction, a feeling the beautiful covers of ‘Teardrops’ and Arthur Russell’s ‘This Is How We Walk On The Moon’ do little to dispute – increasingly the soundscape to impressive effect.
Gonzalez leaves the stage briefly before returning for an encore that includes the long-awaited ‘Heartbeats’, after which some fair weather fans leave. The vast majority stay rooted however, enjoying this very special show and irresistible voice.
