No tears for Mr Hudson in summery opening set
No tears for Mr Hudson in summery opening set
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By James Christie. |  |
Friday, 26, Jun 2009 12:02
By Lewis Bazley.
Constant drizzle during his Other Stage set did not stop soulful singer Mr Hudson from raising spirits as Glastonbury 2009 kicked off.
The platinum-haired singer showcased cuts from his forthcoming album Straight No Chaser as festivalgoers braced themselves for a tough weekend following a night of thunderstorms.
Clad in black with his backing band the Library a vision in white, Mr Hudson bemoaned the early start but put a smile on the faces of a sizeable crowd despite the interminable rain.
Opener White Lies was drenched in mournful synthesisers while Anyone But Him was a calypso-tinged tale of regret that brought to mind memories of Bob Geldof's sweary Live Aid plea thanks to a refrain borrowed from the Cars' 80s classic Drive.
With the festival reeling from the news of Michael Jackson's tragic death at 50, Mr Hudson sought a round of applause from the audience and told of his sadness at the passing of a singer who had inspired his career.
Though hopes of a guest appearance from Mr Hudson's mentor and producer Kanye West went unrealised, the former still drew an appreciative ovation from the crowd after closing his set with anthemic new single Supernova and with his confidence clearly growing, a return to the intimate library gigs of his early career is unlikely.
Mr Hudson is taking off and he can expect to perform as the sun is setting next year, rather than entertaining weary early risers.