Jamie Cullum By Mark Forrer
Jamie Cullum is a name I’m sure you’ve all heard more than once, so seeing him play to a intimate crowd of 100 people was quite humbling for a JC fan like myself.
Feeling somewhat cosy with the person stood next to me, I listened as Jamie explained that he used to play here often before he made it big in the music industry, so he was keen to come back to his roots.
Opening with a cover of Rihanna’s Please Don’t Stop The Music, it’s clear as to why Jamie is such a household name, he really can own any song he puts his mind to, and this was a brilliant choice to lead into new single, 'Wheels.'
The tough thing for Jamie, is that he used to find it quite difficult to get airplay for his singles, but it seems as though the stations have finally put their wheels into motion (excuse the horrific pun there) and this track seems to be a winner in the making.
What’s more, he isn’t afraid to let his band to get their five minutes in the spotlight, and encourages them to knock out a few solo’s during the evening, which, combined with the musical tightness and oodles of energy, ensured this was a great way to warm up on a October night.
Classic track 'These Are The Days' gets everyone singing along before he ends on 'Mix Tape' before venturing back out for an encore of 'Wind Cries Mary' during which he gets everyone dancing before leaping off his piano in a spectacular finishing move.
So, considering that a woman had been speaking to Jamie Cullum for half a hour before realising that he wasn’t Gareth Gates, I think that anyone who joined me at Matt & Phreds last night will certainly never forget his face.
Photography By Mark Forrer
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