On Monday night, I went to the O2 Academy, Islington to see Sophie Ellis Bextor, supported by Sinead and the Dawnbreakers. This is Sophie’s first solo tour in over 3 years, so I was a little exited!
Sinead and the Dawnbreakers played an 8 song set including ‘Just A Ring’, ‘What Would I Do?’, ‘Yes Woman’ and their newest song ‘Down Your Gun’. They also played a fantastic cover of ‘Why Do Fools Fall In Love?’ which had everyone singing along and clicking their fingers!
Sophie opened the show with ‘Dial My Number’ from her upcoming album which instantly got everyone dancing. She kept the high tempo going, following this with ’Bittersweet’, which sounds even more incredible live than on record.
This lead into ‘Take Me Home’, ’Me and My Imagination’, ’Today The Sun’s On Us’ and we were treated to an outstanding performance ‘What Have We Started?’ which Sophie told us was her fav
orite track from her third album, ‘Trip The Light Fantastic’.
She then played ‘Starlight’, another new track from her upcoming album (which is sounding really beautiful) followed by an excellent cover of ‘Rebellion’ by Arcade Fire.
She followed this up with rare track ‘Can’t Fight This Feeling’, and her latest trance single ‘Not Giving Up’.
We had a good bit of audience participation, singing the intro to ‘Get Over You’ and the chorus of her iconic anthem ‘Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love)’ which was interjected with the chorus of ‘Sing It Back’.
She finished her main set with ‘Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)’, my soundtrack to summer 2009. The electrifying strobe lighting set the room alight, keeping everyone’s hands in the air, clapping along.
As always a fantastic show left us wanting more. And more we got, with an encore of ‘Revol
ution’ – another brand new track – and classics ‘Catch You’ and ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’.
What an amazing night! All of the new songs are sounding fabulous, the old ones are sounding better than ever and there was such a brilliant atmosphere. Great to have you back Sophie!
Speaking to Sophie after the show, she told me that her fourth studio album is due for release in the Spring and is again titled ‘Make A Scene’ after a brief name change to ‘Straight To The Heart’.
Check out Sophie Ellis Bextor and Sinead and the Dawnbreakers’ facebook pages, or follow @SophieEB and @thedawnbreakers on twitter.
(Photos courtesy of Tom Sharpe)
Nicely done, Nikki!
Good review. I was there too. Sophie was great – I can’t understand how she plays second fiddle to Gaga and Cole and Madge.
I guess people have no taste in music these days.