It’s turning 50 that inspired British soul sensation Beverley Knight to get back into the studio and record her latest album, ‘The Fifth Chapter’ (2023), which marked the vocal powerhouse’s first collection of original material in 14 years and proved to be a standout in her catalogue.
From the anthemic lead single Last One On My Mind, to the funky, Prince-inspired Systematic Overload and gospel-tinged I’m On Fire, it showcased the diversity of the singer-songwriter, and as she stepped out onto the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the latest sold-out stop in her national tour to her 1999 classic Greatest Day, so began a masterclass in vocals and performance that cemented her legacy.
Storming through a 23-song set with barely a pause for breath, the roof was truly raised by an astounding delivery that no sooner had the entire venue on its feet for early favourites like Flavour Of The Old School, Made It Back ‘99 and Moving on Up (On The Right Side), than reaching for tissues during heart wrenching performances of Sista Sista and Gold.
Even the singer herself shed a tear as she paid tribute to Stephen Lawrence – the Black British 18 year old who was murdered in 1993 while waiting for a bus in Eltham, south-east London – with Fallen Soldier, during a particularly poignant stripped-back segment that also saw the performer honour her late musical director Paul ‘Reidy’ Reid.
Behind the jaw-dropping vocals, vibrant energy and high-glamour, though, the real charm of Bev lies in her unwavering charisma that shone through as she spoke briefly to the audience between songs, whether to share her genuine gratitude for the overwhelming love in the room, or explain the stories behind her classic songs.
While tearing up the stage with an energy most performers could only dream of – while never missing a beat, mind you – she also found moments of humour, singing ‘This is a brand-new dress… CATSUIT!‘ she sang during 2004 Top 10 smash Come As You Are, while showing off her black and white rhinestone-adorned costume, which started out with a matching fur shrug before Bev removed the outerpiece to show off the figure-hugging number in all its glory.
From her latest album, Bev performed eight out of 11 songs – three with the London Community Gospel Choir, who also feature on the record – all of which were embraced with the same love and passion from the crowd as the classics that completed the remainder of the set. Meanwhile, covers ranging from a rousing rework of Radiohead’s Just, to the double-punch encore of Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman and Prince’s I Wanna Be Your Lover, once again demonstrated her ability to take any song and make it her own.
Closing out the show with another new tune, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright perfectly captured the mood in the room after a night of music lifted the spirits of thousands of fans in attendance, and as Bev exited the stage declaring she’s off to “put the kettle on”, she left no doubt that – as she approaches her 30th anniversary in music next year – her job here was done.
Setlist: Beverley Knight, Royal Albert Hall, London
1. Greatest Day
2. Made It Back ’99
3. Systematic Overload
4. A Little More Love
5. Not Prepared For You
6. Flavour Of The Old School / Moving On Up (On The Right Side) / Get Up!
7. Keep This Fire Burning (Robyn cover)
8. Gold
9. Cold World (With London Community Gospel choir)
10. Fallen Soldier
11. Sista Sista
12. The Need Of You
13. I’m On Fire (With London Community Gospel choir)
14. Just (Radiohead cover)
15. Shoulda Woulda Coulda
16. Someone Else’s Problem
17. Last One On My Mind
18. Come As You Are
Encore
19. I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan cover)
20. I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince cover)
21. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (with London Community Gospel Choir)
