LIVE: Dotan - The Borderline 26.03.15

Not enough is said about the incredible talents of Dotan Harpenau, or just Dotan to his growing following, but that all looks set to change after his spellbinding performance at The Borderline on Thursday night. Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, the Dutch singer/songwriter released his studio album, 7 Layers, in 2014, which has since achieved double platinum status in his home country, and has been wowing the masses with a string of dates across Europe.

Having never seen him live before, I was a little curious about how his mellow vocals would come across in a live performance, but walking silently onto the dimly-lit stage, Dotan launches into the pounding ‘The Sound of Love’ without any introduction. From there on out, the packed out crowd were hanging onto his every word. It’s certainly an impressive crew he has with him, a full five-piece backing band who each are vocally gifted in their own right and help to create a striking atmospheric sound, like a powerful Jose Gonzalez meets 65daysofstatic mash-up.

‘Fall’ and ‘Waves’ were to follow, the first an upbeat acoustic track with a comforting melody and memorable chorus, the latter a slow-building stunner, gradually progressing from a single acoustic guitar to an almost cinematic feeling keyboard interlude, with plenty of crashing cymbals interlaced throughout (they’re the waves – geddit?). With the low lighting and completely enthralled silent crowd all around, it was tempting just to close your eyes and drift off on Dotan’s soothing voice to your own little beach somewhere.

Proving he’s all about the poignant water imagery, Dotan invited his band to unplug and join him for a vocal arrangement of ‘Swim To You’, which just highlighted how talented a group they really are. With his female backing singer’s perfect harmony, the performance was gentle and emotive, laying his brilliantly soulful lyrics bare in quite a vulnerable gesture to his onlookers.

Picking up the pace again, an eruption of cheers from the audience after the opening few chords of ‘Hungry’ suggested this was already a firm fan favourite, with its combination of a strong acoustic hook, echoing backing vocals and booming drumbeats. ‘Ghost’ was something special altogether, as Dotan climbed down into the midst of his eager fans and played an acoustic track reminiscent of his days touring the living rooms of those willing to have him, right from the middle of the floor.

But of course it was ‘Home’ that really stole the show, the song everyone had been waiting for and the song that has really made it all possible for the young man from Amsterdam who just wanted to find his own sound. No instrument was spared and the band gave their all to round off an enchanting show with their most rousing song of all, xylophones, an energetically chanting crowd and Dotan thumping on a huge-ass drum was the perfect end to a truly inspiring night at one of London’s most loved little venues. If you don’t already, I think it’s time you got to know Dotan and his band. Maybe tell all your friends too.