Sydney Opera House
Friday April 6, 2018 :
While this concert wasn’t one I would usually gravitate to, I was certainly glad that I did, she has gained yet another fan. Paloma was accompanied by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and it was fantastic. The perfect concert for the acoustics of the Opera House Concert Hall.
There was no support act for this one, just the main performance.
Paloma came onto the stage to a packed audience in one of her signature quirkily styled outfits, and totally owned the stage. She looked fantastic in huge ruffles and glitzy fabric and when she sang everyone was mesmerised. She definitely has the look, the voice and the outfit. By the third number ‘Can’t Rely On You’, many of the audience were up and out of their seats and dancing and clapping along. The crowd were lapping up her high energy numbers and singing all the words. She obviously has a huge following, the whole place had come to life. Her three back up singers who she had brought on tour, Baby N’Sola, Janelle Martin and Naomi Miller, added another layer to her powerful voice, as well as great energy with their coordinated dance moves.
Paloma performed a range of songs from previous albums, such as ‘All Night Long’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Picking up the Pieces’, ‘Upside Down’. She interspersed the music with her witty banter and added a personal warmth into the mix that is not always the case with many performers, she was totally engaged with not only all on stage, but also with the audience. Her onstage antics included, singing to Guy Noble, the conductor, dancing her way up through the orchestra, tripping over the trombone player and creating chaotic fun in the process bringing smiles to the audience and members of the orchestra.
From the fun and high energy, to the passion and intensity in some of the slower numbers, sometimes lying on, or in the case of ‘Just Be’, sitting on the front of the stage connecting to the audience, it was a beautiful unique take on a love song and Paloma was riveting. She is definitely the consummate performer.
Her voice is amazing and she can really belt out those hits. She sang some timeless tunes such as ‘Trouble with My Baby’, and ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ by Etta James, and for me personally these jazz numbers were where her voice really came into its own, and we heard more of her extensive range with the low, raw and sultry notes, coming through that really showcased what a talented singer and performer she really is.
Most of the tracks from her new album were performed in the latter half of the concert. Another great dance anthem ‘Til I’m Done’, had the whole room up and moving, as did ‘Cry Baby’. Others such as ‘Warrior’ and ‘Guilty’ were more atmospheric. The title song ‘The Architect’ once again really showcased the lower, huskier range of her voice right through to the higher notes. She explained that this album carries a message with themes of Environment, Empathy and her signature Revolution of Kindness.
Message received!!
Reviewer : Colette Baron
Photographer : Mick Goddard
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