Indiana performing at #Nottinghamrocks - Photo by Dom Henry
Once everybody sat down in the beautiful surroundings of the hall, they looked towards the stage to see the orchestra fronted by composer Jonathan Vincent, not knowing what to expect. This wasn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill gig.
First up was Indiana almost whispering the song titles and barely saying a word. She certainly looks like a pop diva in the making, but a little shyness is still there, but understandable considering she only made her live debut five months ago.
Her Bjork meets Ellie Goulding voice immediately gives you goosebumps and a tingling sensation shoots up your spine. Throwing in a cover of Frank Ocean’s Swim Good, she is a singer who puts her emotion in to every syllable, accentuating every word with face expressions and hand movements. Her song seem to come straight from a vulnerable heart and lyrically touches on dark moments, such as “I want to hurt you just for fun” and “I could crucify myself”. It’s this darkness which sounds superb with the orchestra.
Nina Smith and the GOA choir performing at #Nottinghamrock - Photo by Dom Henry
Nina Smith gets up on stage and jokes, "I can't see any of you guys, probably for the best." Her honest love songs are transformed by the beautiful composed arrangements by the orchestra. Accompanied by her three-piece band, they add fun and funk to the night making it difficult to sit still without wanting to get up and dance.
Gang Of Angels choir come on stage, adorned theatrically in black and white clothes with their faces painted, and join Nina for a stunning cover of REM's Everybody Hurts. It turned out to be one of the best covers of the song I've ever heard. This was followed by a very unexpected medley of The Police’s Message in A Bottle blended with Spice Girls’ Two Become One, which bizarrely worked very well.
As Nina and her band leave the stage, she says, “Wow, this is a dream”. Saying what the rest of us are thinking.
Natalie Duncan performing at #Nottinghamrock - Photo by Dom Henry
Natalie Duncan sits at her black grand piano looking gorgeous and perfectly acquainted to the big stage. Without saying a word she launches in to her first song and for the rest of the night all eyes on on her.
Joined by a cello player, guitarist and female backing singer Natalie sings her heart out. It's clear this is somebody who just loves to sing and perform and would probably rather not have to talk at all. Natalie has an ability to tell vivid stories with her lyrics making you listen to every word from star to end. With lyrics as beautiful as "I wanted to hold you longer than your wings would let you fly”, she really doesn't need to say much else.
#Nottinghamrocks with Natalie Duncan, Nina Smith and Indiana took place at the Theatre Royal on Saturday 22 September 2012.
Read comments and make your own
Comments