LIVE GIG REVIEW

ARTIST – Kelli-Leigh

VENUE –  The Regal Rooms, Hammersmith

Its a rare thing to be invited along to gig (especially acoustic) in a small venue and have the pleasure of witnessing something really special. Well I’m delighted to report thats exactly what happened to the Music Jobs team last night at The Regal Rooms in Hammersmith.

Kelli-Leigh is a 24yr old singer/songwriter from Croydon who previously sang in a band called ‘KI’ and collaborates with up and coming DJ/Producer Butcherd Beats most notably at this years Great Escape Festival.  Her bio is impressive having written & performed with the likes of Leona Lewis, Katie Melua, Luke Pritchard of the Kooks and Daniel Bedingfield.  Last nights show however was all about the little lady with the huge voice and boy did she take advantage of the opportunity.

Kicking off with the infectious ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Mind’ and accompanied by the excellent Ryan Haberfield ( with whom she shares fantastic chemistry) on guitar any sign of pre-show nerves where lost the minute she opened her mouth and the astonishing array of notes came flooding out.  With natural charm and like-ability beaming from the stage Kelli moved on to the poignant ballad ‘Thru The Storm’.  You could literally hear a pin drop throughout (even the really annoying, drunk guy by the bar kept his trap shut).  A stunning, controlled vocal performance.

Next up was ‘Smiling At You’ a track about how social networking sites can cause some people to suffer with amnesia.  As the lady herself declared this one’s a ‘little edgier’.  Rockier vocals and a diva stance remiscient of Pink soon any thoughts of us witnessing a one trick pony were dispelled.

For the fifth number ’Just Want You’ the baby grand piano tucked away at the back of the stage was put to use.  By no means a bad song this was the least lyrically memorable of the set despite her more than competent skills tinkling the ivories and sublime vocals.

For the finale she stripped it right back to perform ‘Missing You’.  This track is the one getting the most attention from listeners and fans alike and you can tell its one that resonates deeply with her.  The throat tightening pathos in which she delivers each note and lyric draws you in and doesn’t let go until the final strum on the guitar. Tears were shed my friends.

It wasn’t only the emergence of a terrific solo singer last night but an outstanding musical talent that has worked hard on perfecting her craft.  It might be leveled that her songs are a little traditional (especially in the current climate of GaGa, La Roux & Little Boots etc) but who cares!  Kelli tells stories in her own way and delivers them with a voice that is simply world class.

http://www.myspace.com/kellileighhd

***** (5 out of 5)