London Grammar performing their Californian Soil UK Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Tuesday 2nd November 2021

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

It was only four years ago that London Grammar were playing to their fans at Rock City but last night they lit up the Motorpoint Arena with a soaring performance that showcased their seamlessly nuanced trip-hop.

Touring in support of their third studio album, the night started with a red swirling dramatic introduction which morphed into the stunning opening number, title track Californian Soil, with its distinctive beats.

There were nods to their earlier albums with the likes of an emphatic Hey Now, Big Picture and Hell To The Liars whilst Wasting My Young Years got the crowd moving along. But it was the songs from their latest album that got the crowd on their feet.

Lord It’s A Feeling was amplified with spectacular projections and strobing effects, How Does It Feel was superb and Baby It’s You is a festival ready banger that didn’t disappoint. But it was Reid’s powerful and distinctive voice that filled the Arena as she demonstrated her impressive vocal range. The unbelievable beauty of her voice could not be denied on new song America whilst main set closer Metal & Dust from their first album sounded great.

Back on for Bones Of Ribbon and the Novello winning turbo ballad Strong, they closed their set with a spectacular arrangement of Lose Your Head which had much of the audience dancing.

Reid may be the face of the band but there is no disputing the contribution of guitarist Dan Rothman and multi-instrumentalist Dominic ‘Dot’ Major, as they create lush, hypnotic songs that translated beautifully on stage. Last night they delivered a fabulous show that the mixed age Nottingham crowd definitely appreciated.

From meeting at Nottingham University and playing local pubs to performing at selected dates as part of Coldplay’s worldwide stadium tour next year, London Grammar have deservedly hit the big time.

London Grammar performing at Rock City Nottingham on Thursday 26th October 2017.

Images and Review by Kevin Cooper

It was a packed Rock City that welcomed back London Grammar to Nottingham last night, and with lead singer Hannah Reid and guitarist Dan Rothman having met at Nottingham University, before joining forces with multi-instrumentalist Dominic ‘Dot’ Major in 2012; Rock City was no stranger to them.

Touring to promote their second album, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing, it was touch and go as to whether they would ever return to performing following Reid’s well documented struggle with stage fright. But last night that was all behind her as she stood on the stage with just her two band mates and a couple of horizontal light strips that occasionally came on, and instantly captivated this audience.

Delivering an eclectic set of songs, they opened with Who Am I, which showcased Reid’s show stopping beautiful voice. After a stellar start the band slid from Flickers to Help Me Lose My Mind before following up with the heavier Sights, from their 2013 debut album, If You Wait.

Familiar songs, Stay Awake With Me and Wasting My Young Years let the crowd sing the choruses and scream the lyrics back to the band word for word, but it was the new songs that had Reid singing like an angel, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing sent a shiver through the crowd and Rooting For You had the crowd mesmerized as she silenced them with her surreally powerful voice.

The trademark organ sound of Hey Now set the venue alight with screams and did not disappoint before the main set was brought to a close with Big Picture. They returned moments later for a three song encore, wrapping up an emotional night with Metal & Dust.

On last night’s performance London Grammar must be the definition of live music perfection and with Reid’s stunning voice; she showed last night that she was born to sing.