RAG 'N' BONE MAN // O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW

RAG 'N' BONE MAN PLAYS TWO SOLD-OUT SHOWS AT GLASGOW'S O2 ACADEMY AS PART OF HIS OVERPROOF UK HEADLINE TOUR.

RAG 'N' BONE MAN PERFORMING AT GLASGOW'S O2 ACADEMY - 18.11.2017
PICTURE BY: CWY PHOTOGRAPHY

★★★★★

The journey of Rag 'N' Bone Man has been an interesting one. This time last year he was singing to a packed-out King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, but fast forward a very quick twelve months and we find ourselves attending the second of two sold out nights at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on a tour that features some of the biggest venues in the UK.

Kicking things off for the night however was rap duo Phonetic who brought their own brand of hip-hop and spoken word rhymes from Brighton. Trying to pass on a positive message with
lyrics that make you think, the crowd really seemed to catch on with their performance and
connect with the message they were pushing and were an excellent way to open up the show.
Leaving us with the message "If the crowd here has the energy to push each other and step on each other's toes, why can't we be more tolerant of each other in life?" I expect many in attendance will have taken on board the point they were trying to get across.

Main support for the evening came in the form of Rationale and what a perfect warm up act he was. Showcasing tracks from recently released self-titled debut album, Rationale definitely
proved exactly why he had been selected to join this tour. With songs like "Into the Blue" and "Fuel to the Fire" vocalist Tinashe Fazakerley was able to demonstrate the full range of his unique voice and was complemented greatly by the band backing him up. Rationale was just as entertaining to watch as he was to listen to with some smooth dance moves and making his way back and forth across the stage, definitely keep an eye out for his next tour.

Anticipation grew during the wait for our final act of the evening to take to the stage, and after a crescendo of drums, brass and guitars our man of the moment finally strolls on to the stage with the biggest smile on his face. Here to crank out some hits and deeper cuts from number one debut album "Human", Rag 'N' Bone Man's performance was flawless. Songs like "Ego",  "Skin" and "As You Are" are uplifting and soulful and sounded like they belonged in a venue of this size. Rag 'N' Bone Man is not all about vocalist Rory Graham now though. Plenty of spotlight was given to the backing band throughout the show, with an instrumental section after the song "Lay My Body Down" showing the band's prowess.

There was even time to squeeze in a new song named "Run with the Beast" which featured an excellent solo section from the brass musicians of the band. Closing the main set with a fleshed out full band rendition of smash hit song "Human" the song was really brought to life in the live setting with an extended rap bridge showing a side to Rory's vocals that does not show it's face too often. Taking the stage again for the encore holding just an acoustic guitar, we are treated to another new song which was explained to have been written by accident while writing other songs, and finally the band joining him once more to close with "The Bitter End"; and "Hell Yeah";. Throughout the show, Rory seemed genuinely taken back by the reaction to his music and I think even he is constantly surprised by just how well loved his music has become, but I think I speak for everyone when I say it couldn't be more deserving as his voice is simply astounding.

REVIEW + PHOTOS BY: CHRIS YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

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