Continuing from the success of its last showcase iluvlive was back at the XOYO hosting the specially selected talents of some of the UK’s most talented up and coming artists.
First to kick off the show were the impressive vocals of singer and winner of the open mic battle Martino taking the audience back with an individual cover of Mario’s R&B classic ‘Just A Friends’, followed by his own song ‘Overdose’ featuring the rapping talents of ‘Pressure’ providing a welcome twist to the set, before ending on the classic ‘My Love Is Your Love’ in a touching tribute to the late Whitney Houston.
Straight out of Wales the night’s next act came in the form of no nonsense rapper ‘Elro’, proving his worth on the iluvlive stage by way of his impeccable flow and cleverly placed lyrics tinged with an infectious comic quality that had the audiences eyes and ears fixed from the word go!
Next up was soul sensation Jamie Joseph blowing the audience away with his vocal ability and rich soulful tone reminiscent of an early Al-Green, singing his songs ‘But You’ and ‘Hit The Ground Running’ before ending on a extremely well executed rendition of Marvin Gaye’s Motown hit ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’
Keeping on with the soulful vibe was the nights fourth act Ryan Keen, immediately capturing the attention of the audience with the depth of his vocals underpinned by an engaging tone casting my mind back to an early Ed Sheeran.
Setting the standard for diversity was the nights fifth act vocal experimental/dub trio ‘14th’, who immediately had the audience tapping their feet and swaying their heads with their truly unique selection of genre defying songs, effortlessly crossing in and out of different musical styles from garage to dance, bought to life by the mesmerizing vocals the groups frontline singer and breath taking live string section. By far my favorite act of the night!
Next on the line up was straight talking rap artist ‘Ratlin’, performing the songs ‘London City’, ‘Messiah’ and the infectious ‘On My Lonely’, instantly capturing the crowds attention with his confident swagger, matter of fact lyrics and catchy melodies stuck like a record on repeat in the audiences minds. Defiantly one to watch out for!
True to form the showcase ended on a high with an exclusive performance by non other than L-Marshall, and with having been the lyrical mastermind behind Loick Essien’s chart smash ‘How We Roll’ and Wretch 32’s hit ‘Traktor’ anticipation amongst the crowd was high. Opening the set with his song ‘The Wait’ the crowd were taken back by the depth and strength of his vocal delivery, thereafter moving onto an stripped back cover of the song ‘Traktor’ that had the crowd singing and swaying from beginning to end, before finishing the set on his lyrically addictive pop debut ‘Yellow Chevy’. A star in the making, and a great way to end the show!
Vinesh Ladwa
14th Feb 2012
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