Tom Odell showed off cutting-edge sounds at his recent gig in New York City.
Tom Odell is shaking up the game. If the hit single “Another Love” is the only track you’ve heard by the singer-songwriter, his current sound is sure to surprise; accompanying his familiar piano riffs, the artist added a heavy dose of raw guitar and percussion to his live-set in Webster Hall this week.
Opening up the night with “Still Getting Used to Being On My Own,” a track from his most recent album Wrong Crowd, Odell offered up deep, soulful vocals to the crowd layered over the bittersweet sound of piano. In an explosive transition, all instruments – guitar, bass and two separate drum-kits – tuned in, bringing the stage-lights up in fiery gold, orange and red. Invigorated by the heavy rock influences slipped into Odell’s sound, the crowd thrived.
The audience – a diverse mix of older teens and middle-aged professionals – hung on to Odell’s every note. Where most singers call on the crowd to sing or clap along, Tom Odell’s fans accompanied him without prompt. The listeners in Webster Hall regularly sung along with each of Odell’s choruses and, when the artist slowed down his set for “Heal,” crowd members hushed one another in respect of the softer, more emotional ballad.
Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Nearing the end, Odell stopped the concert to express thanks:
“It’s great to be back in New York, thank you so much for coming out…you guys are the best crowd in the f*cking world.”
Closing the night with his most noteworthy track, “Another Love,” Odell followed the same formula from the rest of his performance: a soft opening, followed by a slow build of guitar, bass and percussion, finishing in an energetic refrain. Ranging within songs from light and tender to bolder, more powerful vocals, Odell and his band brought the crowd through the rise and fall of experience with regular musical drops and build-ups. Combining the musical prowess of Tom Odell’s backing band, the artist’s textured sound and his fans’ enthusiasm – not to mention his support from fellow celebrities, such as Hollywood royalty Kevin Spacey – the British singer’s career is looking nowhere but up. With a carefully cultivated sound and avid support, we can expect the next year to offer big leaps for the artist; the bar is raised and Odell is more than ready to deliver.
Tom Odell’s current album Wrong Crowd is available on Spotify and iTunes. He is currently on tour, tickets are available here.
