Mr Hudson, HMV Forum, October 28th
Mr Hudson played the HMV Forum on October 28th
Also In The News
|
By Darren Estwick. |  |
Thursday, 29, Oct 2009 12:59
The Oxford interview is one of the oldest and most famous tests in history. Myths abound of students performing unusual tasks and poring over impossible questions in order to satisfy the gatekeepers of the ancient colleges.
In the short space of half an hour a candidate is expected to commute years of learning in a memorable interview. Everyone selected is academically qualified, so what is the key requirement for entry? To communicate a real passion for what you do within a brief period of time.
Tonight's warm-up act will know more about this than most. Mr Hudson is an unlikely pop star - an alumni of Oxford and a former librarian, who was suitably inspired by his work to name his band The Library. After a lukewarm reception to their debut it took the intervention of a rap superstar to bring Ben Hudson to prominence. During a playback session for Kanye West's third album a DJ introduced the two, and months later Hudson signed to the rapper's label as a solo act. His debut Straight No Chaser has divided critics, some who lament his eager adoption of the vogueish AutoTune. Could he translate this new sound to a live environment?
From the roar that greeted his entrance you could be fooled into thinking Calvin Harris was the support act instead. Opening with new single White Lies, all fears were dispelled as Hudson abandoned the samples and AutoTune for a full live experience. Backed by his Library band once again the sound was immediate and crisp. A rhythm section of bass, electronic drums and keyboards was augmented superbly by backing vocalist Joy Joseph. Using a battery of steel pans to add texture, she constantly danced behind the drums in a sort of shuffle akin to the Los Angeles 'crip walk'.
Yet with a black stage set and white lighting the focus was undeniably Hudson. The enormous chorus of White Lies provided the perfect opener, the crowd joining him instantly in song as if greeting an old favourite. Clad all in black that showed off his shocking platinum crop, he rocked the microphone stand as if playing a stadium rather than the intimate Forum. Everything is Broken saw Hudson sport a reggae lilt reminiscent of Sting in his pomp, while Stiff Upper Lip was a genuinely affecting ballad with a nagging banjo riff.
And it was during the end that something magical happened. Only three songs into a support set he went for a call and response with the crowd, and was greeted by delirious singing and arm waving with strangers linking arms. With the audience suitably warmed up, Knew We Were Trouble took it up a notch with huge 80s-sounding drums and a suitably giant chorus from Hudson. The unashamedly anthemic feel to his records worked perfectly, and none more so than Young Forever, his collaboration with Jay-Z. Pulling off the classic move of letting the audience sing, Hudson had taken the audience from curious to delirious in only twenty minutes. Closing song Supernova was the best example of his new ethos, reminding us of the joyful power pop of Duran Duran and Tears For Fears.
Like the throngs of A-grade candidates hoping for an Oxbridge place, today's music industry is crowded with songwriters of pedigree. The trick is to distil all that talent into a memorable performance that shows passion and packs a punch. Passing that test superbly, Mr Hudson's stripped down performance was the very epitome of straight, no chaser.
Marcus Dubois
Set-list
White Lies
Everything Is Broken
Stiff Upper Lip
Knew We Were Trouble
Young Forever
Supernova