One word to describe this experience...wow! Whilst Beverley is renowned for her live performances I am someone who has been to a wide range of R'n'B and soul concerts - I was just Beyonce's I am Tour last week. For some reason I expected Beverley to deliver a middle of the road, easy listening performance. How wrong I was!!
Not only is her voice unbelievably powerful, she has so much energy and has real rythym and credentials in the dancing stakes too. What a tigress, prowling around the stage, dressed in high fashion outifits...it was all about the leather, killer heels and sparkles! She attacked the uptempo numbers with great gusto, and the Sage crowd - bear in mind this usually a venue where the audience remains firmly in their seats - were right there, grooving along the entire time! She did just as much justice to the ballads, showing tenderness and grace.
Beverley came across as a very sincere and humble indivudual - regularly thanking the fans for their support.
I had been worried that my enjoyment would be hampered because I don't know all of Beverley's songs but that didn't matter one bit due to her amazing energy and great band. The one thing that would help launch her to superstardom is to team up with some big name producers and get a breakthrough song, as after seeing this I really feel she is underestimated and should be hitting much bigger in the charts.
The first thing I did when I left was text my friends to share how fantastic it had been. Beverley is THE BEST of UK soul and anyone would enjoy her live performance, she puts her heart and soul into it and has universal appeal.
Sage Gateshead @
- Gateshead @
- Tue 24 Nov 2009 @
Setlist: Highlights included Made it Back, Shoulda Woulda Coulda, Beautiful Night @
Opening act(s): Mamas Gun - funky five piece sould band. Watch this space they are going to be huge! @