There are some musicians and artists whose work you admire, informed as it is by existential angst, a sense of righteous injustice, and a wish to set the world to rights. However you wouldn’t necessarily want to go out for a pint with them, if you know what I mean! Paloma Faith on the other hand would surely be the life and soul of any party, with her impish sense of humour, her eye for the dramatic gesture and a sense of style that makes haute couture look somewhat twee and ‘street’ . The overriding impression that lingered in the aftermath of her incredibly entertaining show at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall was two-fold, A/ that you had just witnessed a major talent , contemporary yet timeless and B/ What on earth does she wear when she pops out to the supermarket for a pound of spuds ! !! Her performance in Liverpool was full of theatrical drama, underpinned with an endearing sense of kooky self awareness from an artist whose stage personae resembles a character who’s just stepped forth from the pages of a fairy tale.
I first interviewed Paloma back in 2007 in the days before she had signed a big record deal and was pretty much unknown outside of London. Indeed Paloma’s mum Pam (who is totally ace) informed me that The VPME was one of the first to spot Paloma’s genuine talent and potential , (which is obviously nice,) and on first listen to Paloma’s demos it was obvious to me, at least, that she definitely had that special something that marked her out as a star in waiting.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awdBN2_pUeE]
There have been those who claim to have been disappointed in Paloma’s debut album “Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful” 
citing the fact that it was too glossy, that slick production values had ripped the heart out of her songs and dulled her edge. Personally I’d never had any such problems with the album, there was more than enough going on to keep me happy and of course there’s ‘The voice’. And it’s a voice that’s actually even more impressive live than on record and one that contains more soul than an all-nighter at The Twisted Wheel. The live performance is essentially what Paloma is all about, for its on stage she becomes almost a force of nature and in this environment her songs truly come to life and take on a whole new dimension, this lady is quite simply a natural born entertainer.
Teetering on outrageously high-high heels and adorned in the sort of outfit that makes Catwoman look like Anne Widdecombe visiting Planet Frump on dress-down day, Paloma belted out tune after tune with such exuberance, energy whilst displaying the sort of contagious sense of fun that surely only the hardest of hearts would fail to be stirred by. Backed by her incredibly accomplished band she switched effortlessly between intimate slow burning torch songs, summoning up the ghosts of Etta James and Billie Halliday through to jazz, soul, pop and even the sort of full on rock that Dave Grohl would raise glass to, without skipping a beat . The show in Liverpool, as part of the city’s excellent Sound City music Festival wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory Beatles cover and the crowd rose to their feet as Paloma instructed them to turn the normally sedate environs of Liverpool Philharmonic Hall into a mosh pit before performing a blinding version of “ You Never Give Me Your Money”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-cVvRTPzpM]
This was pure entertainment of the highest order and demonstrated that any opinion offered on Paloma as an artist is completely invalid until you have actually experienced her live. The hour and a half long set fairly whizzed by which included costume changes, Paloma attempting to turn the audience into a ‘water feature’ and a remarkable version of David Guetta’s ‘Sexy Bitch” (minx). In conclusion this was an utterly spellbinding performance from start to finish and one in which the audience responded with the sort of enthusiasm usually reserved for one of their own. It’s a beautiful thing when you leave a gig transformed , uplifted, euphoric and almost a better person than the one that arrived- this show genuinely gave rise to such emotions . As the evening reached it’s conclusion Paloma announced that she’d be back on tour in September promising a show that would bigger, better stronger , faster and you instinctively knew that the vast majority of the audience here were already counting down the days until she returns- I’ll certainly be at the front of queue! A night to remember from an artist who will surely be around for many years to come.
9/10.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcMpOPRp6HE]
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYYo7mh8Ig0]
Links
You’re so right, Mr. VP! I personally am stunned that it’s only 8 months ago that I saw these guys in Manchester’s Ruby Lounge, your average little basement club, and am lucky enough to have seen them move rapidly through the Academy venues to fill somewhere like the Phil.
The original songs have evolved into showcases for the band as well as Paloma and they prove that skilled musicians and stage presence are infinitely more entertaining than Dry Ice and Flying Pigs…
During the interval I looked at the stage, saw so much ’empty’ space and had a horrible moment where I wondered if we were going to have skimpily-dressed dancers and special fx to distract from a lacklustre performance and miming like we seem to get from the ‘Big’ acts, but No, Paloma and the band walked on and just filled every millimetre!
I liked your reference to the Twisted Wheel, by the way, but wondered how many people in the audience last Wednesday realised the importance of the club across the road from the Phil in the history of basement soul clubs, The Magnet?
I like to think that the soulful dance records played before the gig and during the interval were a small tribute to that history!
Ah yes the Ruby Lounge, I was supposed to go to that but circumstances conspired against me ! But your so right they really did fill every millimetre !
” adorned in the sort of outfit that makes Catwoman look like Anne Widdecombe visiting Planet Frump on dress-down day, ” hahahaha this is why I love this blog so much, genius. Y es Paloma is a true talent and I get a bit fed up with snobs calling her Winehouse lite. She isn’t , she’s a talent that this country should celebrate. He live shows are as Mr Pip said, AMAZING x
Brilliant review mate, not arsey just honest and passionate.,, the way it should be. She’s a goddess.
Brillaint review, seen this lovely lady only once so far, got tickets for next tour already!!
I hope Paloma has the strength to permanently dismiss the opinions of critics and that she can be carried along on the wave of honest appreciation that her ever growing number of fans feel towards her. Paloma, never stop singing because of the critics, their feeling of self-importance is already too high.
Lovely review, captures Paloma’s essence compeletly with your well chosen words. Thank you
the best Paloma review I’ve read, really understands that she’s all about. Bravo!
I’ll second many of the comments here and agree – great review! Definitely captures what Paloma are all about. We, at The Music Void, were actually at the Liverpool Sound City event. This is what we made of it all – http://www.themusicvoid.com/2010/05/event-report-liverpool-sound-city-2010/