Another night and another trip down the M5 to the heart of Bristol (and another chance to get lost in the roadworks and drive round and round trying to find a way out!)

Without a doubt, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man had the most thunderous voice I have ever heard live and backed up with a fantastic band, he shook the foundations at Bristol’s O2 Academy this week at the start of his sold out UK tour.

First up, and an early start, was Max White (“easy to remember when you get home, think Colgate......Max White”) a 24 year old singer songwriter who has just released his ‘Imagine’ EP. While mainly pop focused, you can really hear his varied influences in the latest release but this was a stripped down version, just him and his guitar and, for one track, on the keyboard. He’s also previously written and performed with Rag‘n’Bone Man. He got a good reception from the early arrivers and his short set was a great way to kick off.  He has a November tour on the back of the EP release can you can catch him back in Bristol on 11th Nov at The Exchange. Get your tickets HERE

Next up was London based Emily Burns, with a lovely set including her latest release ‘I’m so Happy’.  The tracks were a little rawer live but her delicate, sensitive vocals and infectious smile definitely brought a bunch of new fans tonight. It’s tough just standing up there with a guitar but the use of some backing tracks / beats certainly helped to fill out the sound. Emily, hits the road in Oct and November and you can get tickets for her shows HERE

Two greats supports, but as the lights cut in preparation for the main man, the anticipation grew. The large backing band took the stage and the crowd erupted as Rag’n’Bone Man arrived and stood like a mountain at the front. I noticed how the roadie set the microphone height to be level with his own head a little earlier, but that didn’t prepare me, the main man is MASSIVE, a staggering 6ft 5ins tall. From the first note he sung, the power of his voice shone through. He covered many of the tracks from his new release Life by Misadventure as well as delving into his back catalogue.

Rory said it was nearly 4 years since he last performed here and a lot has changed since then. The new album feels deeper, more layered and soulful and the band delivered fantastic support with the additional vocalists complimenting him brilliantly. ‘Changing of the Guard’, a song about his son Reuben, slowed the tempo and resonated around the hall. ‘Grace’ from the ‘Human’ album was simply beautiful and ‘Anywhere Away From Here’ had the crowd singing every word. The strength of his voice coupled with the amazing backing vocalists and the throbbing bass meant you felt this music as much as you heard it and he came across so well, relaxed, engaging and humble.

It’s worth mentioning the audience here. While incredibly supportive and engaged for the main part (and a lot of beards present), there was just so much talking during the songs. At times I heard more talking than the band and had to move. I find it strange that people come out to a sell out gig of one of the best acts around at the moment and then talk all the way through it!

The set’s energy built towards the pinnacle and the huge smash hit, ‘Human’, everything seemed to be turned up a notch and the whole crowd responded.

Rag’n’Bone Man put on a hell of a performance, track after track  of powerful, emotional songs. Live, it feels like there is an added ‘extra’ to these tracks and the new material is simply brilliant.  This could be a massive 12 months for the big man.

Words and Pictures by © GM Gig Photography