EMELI SANDÉ // BHGE ARENA (AECC), ABERDEEN
EMELI SANDÉ MAKES HER LONG AWAITED LIVE COMEBACK TO HER HOMETOWN OF ABERDEEN... KICKING OFF HER 'LONG LIVE THE ANGELS UK ARENA TOUR AT AECC'
EMELI SANDÉ
PICTURE BY: NEIL LUPIN - GETTY IMAGES / REDFERNS
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Emeli Sandé, is a Scottish recording artist and songwriter. She first became prominent after she was featured on the track "Diamond Rings" by the rapper Chipmunk. Sandé released her first solo single "Heaven" in August 2011. She has two number-one singles across the UK and Ireland with "Read All About It" with Professor Green and "Beneath Your Beautiful", a collaboration with Labrinth. Her father, having moved from Zambia, met her mother while they were both at the polytechnic in Sunderland. The family moved to Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, when she was four. As she grew up in Aberdeen is was amazing that she performed her first date of the tour at the Aberdeen ACEE. For Emeli Sandé herself if must have been surreal performing her first date at such and huge local venue.
Calum Scott is supporting the whole tour and he is the only support act meaning it is a great opportunity for him to have a long set and really help build the atmosphere in preparation for the main act. Calum has supported many acts throughout the years and always gives a brilliant performance. Calum Scott is a British singer and songwriter who came to worldwide attention when he appeared as a contestant on the television programme Britain's Got Talent in 2015. He released his version of Robyn's hit "Dancing On My Own" as a single and it has reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Calum mentioned that the first tour date in Aberdeen was his first performance ever in Aberdeen and how he was so excited to perform. He created a brilliant atmosphere and got the crowd dancing in time for Emeli to come on stage.
During this tour she will headline in front of 20,000 fans at the O2 on this tour, but just for one night she returned to her roots. She mentioned how she would often play piano at The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, and her jaw dropping ability meant each number felt like an intimate gig. Having performed at The Tunnels last year, this was Emeli’s first time at the AECC though she appeared completely at home. She also used the gig to allude to heartbreaking events in the world and advocated compassion and love as the way forward in situations we have recently faced. The evening was amazing between the having a great support act, two different stages and phenomenal vocals.
She opened the evening with Hurts her 2016 hit. Many an artist can get swallowed up by the size of the arena but Emeli used it to her advantage and even opened up the atmosphere through her debut Heaven. Taking to a piano in the middle of the arena, she then performed Clown, a track that she was offered money for to give to Susan Boyle but refused. Read All About It and Beneath Your Beautiful followed and it was these spine-tingling performances which really cemented the singer’s position as one of Scotland’s best. Even though she first appeared in a glass cube on stage, there was no special effects or distracting dance routines throughout the evening. Emeli simply looked like she was having a great time on stage, repeatedly saying it was good to be back if only for one night. The second stage was a great way to change up the performance and create a more personal experience as she was on the floor with the crowd.
As the evening started to close she performed many amazing song and the crowd was more than happy to sing along with her. Overall it was an amazing performance from both Calum and Emeli creating an incredible experience for all fans.
EMELI SANDÉ - 'LONG LIVE THE ANGELS' UK ARENA TOUR CONTINUES:
Sun October 15th 2017 - GLASGOW The SSE Hydro
Mon October 16th 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Metro Radio Arena
Wed October 18th 2017 - LONDON The O2 Arena
Thur October 19th 2017 - BRIGHTON The Centre
Sat October 21st 2017 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
Sun October 22nd 2017 - MANCHESTER Arena
Tue October 24th 2017 - LEEDS First Direct Arena
Wed October 25th 2017 - BIRMINGHAM Genting Arena
Fri October 27th 2017 - DUBLIN 3 Arena