From time to time, the stars align and things just seem to “come together”, this was definitely the case for Torville Jones who goes by the more recognised name Tokio Myers when he won Simon Cowell’s televised talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. It was also a case of the stars aligning for the general public too, think back, did you feel the same way when Paul Potts won? Or that performing dog? No, you didn’t!
Fast forward 12 months and Tokio Myers is touring the UK, promoting his debut album Our generation, we were invited along to the London date at Shepherds Bush Empire to see just what all the fuss is about!
Upon arriving at the venue 10 minutes before the doors opened, I was surprised to see a line forming around the entire block, after a quick chat with an ‘O2 Angel’, I found out that it was a sold out night and the other dates on his tour are fast following suit. I got my photo pass and filed through the bodies that had filled the floor and prepared for the show.
Opening the show was a Sheffield based 4 piece called Before Breakfast, consisting of bass, keys, vocals and cello. Drawing upon their influences of Kate Bush, Marika Hackmann and Bat for Lashes (to name just three), they did a splendid job of warming the audience with their blend of beautiful harmonised vocals and exquisite playing.
Their sound went from being a smooth, warming mix of heartfelt laments to the full force of a woman scorned and really kept the room on its toes throughout their set. For more information about this group and to check out their debut EP which dropped in March, please visit their BANDCAMP page
After a short break, the stage was set for Tokio Myers to do his thing. He plays a grand piano and a plethora of drums and percussion instruments, being stood in the photo pit, I did wander how I’d be able to see him behind this wall of instruments that had been built up for him to hide amongst whilst delivering his art.
He walked on stage, climbed onto his piano and stood there for a good 30 seconds, taking in the view of a packed house that had ventured out on a Sunday evening to watch him perform.
The London based pianist was in top form and even acted on feedback received saying that he never appeared from behind his musical toolkit to engage with the crowd, with this, he leapt down from the stage and walked the front row, receiving ‘Hi-Fives’ from the majority and even managed to chat briefly to one lucky attendee, clearly making her evening!
His music fuses multiple genres, but centres mainly around an electro soundscape which is broken up with his intricate piano and percussive skills, he takes in samples of classic artists such as Talking heads, he manages to manipulate the sounds to fit what he is delivering and nothing he played seemed out of context with his overall approach.
“Instead of asking 'Why?', we should be saying: 'Why not?' That's always been my attitude, from when I was a small kid. I don't recognise those so-called boundaries. In music, you can do anything you want."
A Tokio Myers show isn’t purely just about the music, he himself is an immense performer, putting his heart and soul into every performance and come the end of the set, he was physically spent!
After the show, I chatted to a couple of fans who mentioned that ‘Limitless’ and ‘Bloodstream’ were amongst their favourite tracks of the evening and they couldn’t believe the sheer diversity of the audience, there was children there with their parents, elderly couples and groups of young lads who were utterly transfixed throughout the entire performance!
If you are in two minds as to bother attending one of the remaining shows on huis UK tour, I can only recommend wholeheartedly that you do, seeing him in such intimate venues is to be a rare treat as it won’t be long until this young Londoner start starts to fill arenas all over the place and he hasn’t even started on America yet!
So, to sum up, I was sceptical, not being one to watch the TV, I really didn’t know what to expect but for once, Simon Cowell and his band of merry men have got it right!
Words and Pictures by Steve Muscutt
