Photo: Justine Trickett
There is something about floppy-haired contemporary piano star Tom Odell that has a fundamental appeal to women. And there was definitely an uneven gender split in the audience last night at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.
Despite the impressive talent of his two support acts, George Ezra and Denai Moore, there was a definite sense of impatience among the crowd as they eagerly anticipated Odell's arrival onstage. And eventually, a few minutes late, arrive he did to a wild soprano chorus of female wailing.
With absolutely no preamble or messing about, he sat at his upright and launched into latest single 'Grow Old With Me'. Much of the show continued in this manner, so if you’re a fan of a bit of on stage banter between songs, then you'll find yourself sorely lacking it at a Tom Odell gig. But what Odell does have in abundance is an ability to abuse a piano to great musical effect.
His enthusiasm and passion are evident as he bops aggressively on his stool and hammers away violently at the keys - his tremulous, feverish vocals sounding pained from the exertion. He’s like a blonde, angelic, younger version of Elton John. It somehow adds to the effect, though. Despite cynical protestations that Odell has somehow become a warped, browbeaten product of the industry there is just something so earnest about him. Sat at his piano, pounding away at the keys with his aurally pleasing chord progressions and singing for, what sounds like, his life, in a white shirt that looks nothing short of cavernous – it’s hard not to be swept up in Tom’s world.
Sure, his music is not necessarily ground-breaking or radical, but it's sweet, intelligent, honest and easy to like, plus his fervour on stage is infectious and genuine. The simplistic, organic ballad 'Sense' showcased his skills on the piano and was a definite highlight – you could hear a pin drop and it's always nice when an audience holds that much respect for a musician that they will desist from conversation for at least one song.
Current single 'Another Love' was another highlight, as was the bluesy turn the night took in his thunderously appealed-for encore. We saw a sexier version of Odell and he belted out a pleasing cover of 'I Just Wanna Make Love To You' which had ovaries exploding all over the Empire, as did the lazily schizophrenic 'See If I Care'.
Even after he had kicked over his own piano stool and mic stand – which had more of an air of a hasty afterthought than a genuinely spontaneous action – vague hand gestures at pertinent moments towards the women of the audience kept the decibel level up and ensured the night ended on a high. And why wouldn't we be elevated? Tom Odell is an attractive guy, sat at a piano, playing it well and singing earnestly about love and heartbreak – he's onto a winner, there.
Below: Photos of Tom Odell's huge show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire show
