Jack Garratt @ 02 Academy, 15th November, 2016
The super moon was not the only bright celestial being this week. On Tuesday night Jack Garratt played to a sold out O2 Academy in what can only be described as a meteoric explosion.
To say that Jack has had astronomic success the past few years would be a gross understatement; leaving studies to become a schoolteacher, Garratt released his first extended play and remix EP in late 2014. A few short months later his single “Worry” was blasted all over radio airwaves, launching him to success. After this Jack has been nonstop, touring every stretch of the globe and releasing famed album Phase in February this year. In between touring and recording Jack found time to win the Critic’s Choice Award category award at the 2016 Brit Awards.
So what and why is Jack Garratt such a verging success, what makes him truly a shining star among many? Jack Garratt is a musical genius whose music and live show transcends reality, moving both artist and fan to a place of cosmic rebirth. This transfixing cacophony of sound and light and energy was on full display this past Tuesday night.
30 minutes after the doors of the O2 Academy opened the room was packed. A mere hour after we all crammed into the tiny square room Seramic, an alternative electro band, graced the stage. After a short set the band departed, and anticipation grew to a feverish height. Two hours after the doors opened and after some Missy Elliot and Crazy In Love sing-a-longs, Jack Garratt sauntered onto the stage in a blinding array of strobe lights.
From his lips spewed “Coalesce (Synesthesia, Pt 2).” There is something magical when Jack’s music first hits, it’s like you’re on a spaceship knowingly anticipating the approach of a new planet. The mixture of electronic beats paired with the incredible energy output of Jack immediately transports you to another world. As the thudding of his drum pad infiltrates your heat and as your blood mixes in with the sweet sultry notes of his voice, you start to realise that this is not an normal night, that you are witnessing and experiencing something transformative.
The increase of energy continues, as Jack plays recent single “Breathe Life” followed by a slower “When I Grow Old.” The crowd responds to every tick of the keys and every chord of the piano, much more than I have noticed in any other show I’ve been to recently. Not only does the crowd physically react to what is before them, but they also are vocally engaged with Jack. Each note, each word, is screamed and sung in holy reverence. It is a moment of the night that is without description; the power behind the crowd singing to Jack and with Jack is really a moment that stops time and breath.
This amazing fan participation is no doubt linked to the relationship Jack has with his fans. There is a relatable quality to man and fandom. On stage Jack banters back and forth, revealing pieces of his life and laughing at every dumb joke. Where some artists stick to the set without wandering, Jack plays off each fan outbreak. Laughing at fans, smiling at fans, Jack is not merely a musician but a friend. A part of this also is undoubtedly linked to Jack’s active social media presence. Garratt is extraordinarily active on platforms Twitter and Snapchat, interacting in great measure with his fans. His music as well as his life is something that comes alongside the lives of his fans, which is why there is such an intense buy in.
The crowd, in adoration and acceptance, does not diminish in enthusiasm and neither does Jack. “Far Cry,” on of Garratt’s professed favourites to play, becomes a giant dance party. We are left breathless, until the Cover comes about. Jack does not merely play a cover, but spends about 10 minutes playing short bits of random songs. In doing so he teases us with favourites, including Britney Spears and other 90s hits. After bantering back and forth, Jack lands on covers of “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Senorita” by Justin Timberlake. The boyish glee of these covers transmits to the audience, and there is great laughter and jovial bodies in the crowd.
“The Love You’re Given,” a hit from his 2014 release, slows down the tempo and gives our tired bodies and hearts a break. The perpetual undulation of rhythm gives the song a meditative quality to it. The meditation ends swiftly as Jack ramps into “Fire.” The military march undertone blurs the lines of reality once again, we could be in battle or we could be in the middle of a Birmingham city centre, one cannot tell. “Fire” ends with massive synth generated pulse and then the lights turn black.
It is a few short minutes, but the star man appears on stage once again to play his encore. “Surprise Yourself” is Jacks message for the fans, that they are capable of great things! As he pauses in the song and as the momentum builds you are reminded that Jack is not merely a musician but also an advocate for finding your voice and realising that your life has power and purpose. No doubt an aftereffect of his desire of teaching, this song is not merely commanding because of its construction but also because of the message it gives to every fan. “My Home,” a song not normally played on tour, gives us another glimpse into Jack’s character. The song, written for his fiancé, is an emotional ballad that reveals the artists softer side. Jack thanks fans for “finding me” and that he “hopes you’ll be with me for the rest of my life.” And then he comes sliding to the end, finishing off the insane night with fan favourite “Worry.”
In a world of contrived pop and inauthentic electro buzz, it’s no wonder that this new space man has been so successful. His emphatic connection with fans coincides with his brilliant music construction. The one-man-band is not merely the future of musical creation, but his tour and overall brilliance marks the future of where the music industry is heading. Jack Garratt’s show at the O2 was transformational and we can all rest knowing that this star will shine bright for some time.
Review/Image – Kylie McCormick