Mesmeric, hypnotic and alluring are just three of the many adjectives that could be used to describe Kelela’s performance at her ‘Converse Rubber Tracks Live’ show in London.
Oxford Street venue 100 Club was heaving with gig-goers eager to catch a glimpse of this enticing talent. Converse regularly host shows all over the world with renowned artists and the London crowd were clearly delighted that the footwear brand had brought Kelela to their city.
Her musical stock is currently at it’s highest level following the huge success of her latest project Hallucinogen, and Kelela didn’t disappoint. Playing through a host of tracks that covered that project as well as music from her 2013 mixtape Cut 4 Me, she glided across the stage (after commenting on the venues awkwardly placed pillars) ensuring everyone in attendance enjoyed a view of her in action.
Kelela’s vocals were on point throughout the entire show and with the added help of her sound guy, she managed to create the uniquely atmospheric sound that she achieves so easily on her recorded music. She also rarely stopped between tracks to pause for a breath, such was the intensity of her performance, but when she did she displayed a humble sense of honesty, thanking everyone for making the effort to come out and see her.
Tracks from Hallucinogen enjoyed the biggest crowd response of the night, with glorious performances of ‘A Message’ and ‘All the Way Down’ particularly igniting a rapturous response from the enthusiastic audience. However it was the evening’s final track, and possibly Kelela’s most famed work ‘Rewind’ that stole the show.
Her dynamic stage presence and delivery of that song showcased everything that is great about Kelela. Her music is unafraid and her performance is full of passion and love. Inspiring onlookers all over the venue to burst into dances of some kind or another, ‘Rewind’ left everyone wanting to do just that and relive what they’d just witnessed.
Kelela’s beautifully ethereal brand of future R&B is a joy to listen to and even better to witness live in the flesh. If you get a chance to catch one of her shows the next time she graces the UK, make sure you grab it with both hands as she is not an artist you can afford to miss.
Matt Tarr
@MattTarrJourno
Matt Tarr
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