ShareGeorge Ezra with special guest Sigrid performing at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Tuesday 12th March 2019.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
There wasn’t a seat to be had at the Motorpoint Arena last for the fifth night of George Ezra’s UK tour, and given the number of dads with their youngsters on their shoulders; there wasn’t much standing room on the floor either.
And it was this packed Arena that had turned out early to see the support act, Sigrid, who got the place buzzing with her youthful enthusiasm right from the first note of Sucker Punch, the title of her debut album.
Engaging with the fans and encouraging them to clap on the likes of Don’t Kill My Vibe, her eight song set list ended with pop stonker Strangers, as she left the stage to ear splitting applause.
Emerging to the strains of Oasis’ Don’t Look Back In Anger, this year’s Brit winning British Male Solo Artist needed no introduction. With the stage decked with pot plants, standard lights and some imposing windows, it felt as intimate as the lounge at Tamara’s, the place where he stayed in Barcelona and which lends itself to the title of his latest album.
Opening with Don’t Matter Now, he had everyone enraptured, whilst Get Away quickly let his seven piece band showcase their talents, including the fun loving brass section that elevated Ezra’s deep tone even more. Barcelona was followed by the upbeat Pretty Shiny People which showcased his unique vocal talent.
A packed set list followed that allowed his charm to cut through any feeling that he is a little straight laced, as he regaled with tales from his travels, including how the melody for Paradise came about when he was poorly on a tour bus and feeling sorry for himself.
Hold My Girl was magical as the Arena turned dark only to be lit up by around thirty lights that slowly descended from the roof out above the crowd. Blame It On Me was riotous, before set closer Budapest took the fans back to where it all began.
For the encore, there was the delightful Cassy O’ but Shotgun, of course, was the obvious and perfect last song to round off a superb evening marred only by an extremely officious member of Ezra’s security staff.
