★★★★★
Since 2013, Becky Hill has been a staple in the UK music scene — in namesake, at least. The queen of the collaboration, Hill has provided the vocals behind some of the most eminent singles in the decade’s rise of UK house and electronic music. But her own catalogue of less-known singles and EPs have consistently proved that there is an artist behind the vocalist — one with heaps of individual talent and pop potential. After biding her time for the last four years under huge names like MK, Rudimental and Wilkinson, Hill finally pushes to the frontlines of British pop with new music and a tour that establishes her as a formidable artist in her own right.
It was clear from the off on the opening night that Hill was onto something big here. Her affinity with both the crowd and her band ascertained a chemistry that infused the gig with a sense of easy coolness. There was nothing contrived here. The whole thing was organic from her voice, which is distinctly unparalleled to most of the UK chart topping artists, down to her engagement with the tight packed crowd.
“You won’t know this one,” Hill admitted hesitantly as she launched into some of her forthcoming material. This is usually the moment in a gig, especially in as intimate a venue as Stereo, that things can become difficult. The energy dwindles as the crowd detaches from the performance until the next big hit is played. But not in this case. As is typical with Hill’s brand of bittersweet pop, the new material had enough muscle to have the eager crowd dancing and singing along, but with an underlying sense of emotion and honesty in her lyrics. Hill is the perfect example of an artist who could make you cry tears of joy and sadness at the same time.
