Photo: wenn
Having just released his debut album, Telluric, Matt Corby has been on tour and stopped by at the Roundhouse.
Those familiar with Matt Corby's music will be well aware that his downbeat and mellow songs don't make for high octane, moshing crowds. Indeed, his style of music won't make you jump out of your seat. It will, however, glue you to your seat in awe of the mesmerising performance in front of you.
Corby opened the Roundhouse gig with his much beloved 'Belly Side Up'. Dressed all in black, in uniform with the rest of his band, Corby stepped nervously up to the microphone. He seemed a timid character on stage, with his hands grasped together in front of his chest like a shy school boy reading a speech. However, when he unleashed his majestically soaring voice upon the crowd, his visual stage presence didn't matter. Corby has one of those booming voices that would probably fill the Roundhouse without a microphone, and it's beautiful.
In fact, throughout the gig, Corby remained hunched over the microphone with a few hand gestures that never extended beyond shoulder level, which actually made it easier for the audience to focus on him admiringly.
His incredibly sophisticated 'Monday' just featured him and a loop pedal, with the rest of the band having exited the stage. There are seldom moments when a crowd falls so utterly silent. One occasion is an awkward result of a band failing to perform convincingly, but the other is a reflection of a speechless and stunned crowd. Corby's 'Monday' was the initiated the latter. Beginning with a few simple clicks of his fingers, Corby then harmonised his layered vocals before launching into his powerfully charged chorus. The audience's sudden jump from silence to raucous cheering at the end of the song said it all.
Whilst Corby's music may be mellow in general, the gig was so far from boring. 'Resolution' was an anthemic crowd pleaser with fans joining in on its addictive chorus. Meanwhile, his screeching guitar solos on some of his faster paced tracks contrasted with his flute solos showcased his diverse instrumental talent. When we spoke to him a few months ago, he told us that he only just mastered his instruments. He most certainly has mastered them.
'Brother' has already become a Corby classic and went down a treat with his fans when it was played later on in the set. Corby closed his set with 'Empire' that led smoothly into a cover of Sam Cooke's classic 'A Change Is Gonna Come'. Somehow, his voice didn't tire and was still effortlessly able to reach the climatic chorus notes of the Cooke classic and did it beyond justice.
Corby's shy persona coupled with his unique vocal and musical talent makes for a charming performer. Indeed, there's something very likeable about the man in the spotlight and as a result, it's hard to take your eye off him throughout the performance. Today's music has embraced solo performers and artists and whilst Corby may not have the same recognition and fame as the likes of Ed Sheeran, James Bay or Jack Garratt, his talents as a performing artist certainly make him a contender. As his legion of fans continue to grow, it's only a matter of time that Corby becomes a household name.
