11:29am Friday 12th March 2010
A ONE man band with massive vocals, ginger dreads, dressed in a baggy shirt and jeans with a thespian accent, Newton opened the sell out show with new material from his latest album Rebuilt By Humans.
The second song, I Took It Out On You, showed his huge vocals before he took us on a mini tour of the covers he has done including Teardrop which was vocally so crystal clear and echoed through the O2 Academy.
Behind him were two big screens which acted as a karaoke aid at one point for She’s Got The Time as he wanted it to be a sing-along. What was so intriguing was the way he really is a one man band, even playing with no shoes on so he could hit the foot keyboard whilst strumming and singing.
The song that got one of the best reactions was the eagerly awaited Dream Catch Me; and Let’s Get Together saw Newton invite support act Charlotte O’Connor back on stage. UFO was popular as behind the screens was a dancing ‘alien’ while Newton sat playing wearing lit up glasses.
Newton is one of the rare artists who sounds better live than recorded. Endearingly, he talked a lot throughout the show, offering anecdotes about his Mum and even getting the crowd to imagine they were pirates!
The encore was original as not only did he play Bohemian Rhapsody, but after showering us with confetti, he ended with I’m Not Giving Up Yet which sums up where his head is currently at.
Jess Stickley
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