Rhydian + Louise Setara @ Birmingham Symphony Hall – 19th May 2009

Rhydian’s support for this evening was Louise Setara accompanied by her pianist Anthony Clarke.
Performing songs from her debut album “Still Waters” released here in 2007 and hitting the US in September this year, the Reading born singer gave a low key, simple yet beautiful performance. She has passion and vocal talents obviously, but if I have one criticism it is that the songs were a little similar.

One track “Empty Flame” was written for Louise and coloured the set, being relationship and romance driven. Other songs such as “You Said I Was Beautiful” were apparently from the more jazzy side of her album but I just couldn’t feel the Jazz.

The album Is described as being of a country/jazz theme, though the music for me had a more bluesy sound despite the romantic lyrics. The best track I felt was “Cant Stop The River” written for Louise by Seal, which was well performed and enjoyed by the audience tonight.

Louise offered both a free photo and track via Bluetooth to our mobile phones (apparently an experimental marketing gimmick) however I got neither! And audience members were offered to book a lounge performance which will see her perform in households throughout the UK this year.
On the whole I think the set would have more suited an intimate setting such as a jazz club rather than the Symphony Hall. It was far from a truly polished performance with Louise having to take prompts from her pianist as to which song she was performing next and the relaxed style was maybe a little too relaxed, however enjoyable non the less.

After a short break, tonight saw Rhydian return to Birmingham where he performed for the first time in Carmen, and to the very stage on which he graduated to the conservatoire. Clad in a three piece leatherette suite….. sorry suit and sporting his trademark platinum blonde hair do, our first glimpse of The Riddler was of him facing the band with his back towards the audience as the curtain fell.

Opening the show with two Meatloaf songs, which I must admit left me a little cold, he went on to perform some of his X Factor favourites such as “Get The Party Started”. For me it wasn’t until we had heard several album tracks did I really begin to enjoy the evening and appreciate his talents. “I’m Coming Home Again” and “Myfanwy” were welsh classics which better showcased his vocal capabilities, and at one section the singer being accompanied by a pre-recorded male welsh voice choir on a big screen.

The song “There Will Be A Time” was written for him by Walter A from the US who has penned classics for the likes of Mariah Carey and Andrea Boccelli, “I Won’t Let You Walk This Road Alone” was also part-written by Walter A and Rhydian, this has yet to be heard by his record company but was given a raw airing for the first time on this tour and of which the singer has high hopes, this being of the ilk of songs such as Bridge Over Troubled Waters and You Raise Me Up. These tracks once again gave us a glimpse of the singer’s abilities.

Other covers were from songs performed by Shirley Bassey, Josh Groban, David Bowie and Queen and, credit where credit is due, the boy from Wales did good!

For me and the sell out crown tonight, the highlight of the show was Rhydian’s rendition of two songs from The Phantom Of The Opera which were truly extroadiary and mind blowing, (I still have the upturned neck hairs to prove it). The Phantom is a part that the singer admits he would love to play, the performance being eeiry and sinister he was truly the Phantom minus the mask tonight. Hayley Westenra joined Rhydian for a passionate and beautiful duet, Hayley herself went on to sing “POKARIKARI ANA (COME BACK TO ME)” accompanied by strings.

The eclectic mixture of camp disco/cabaret, classic ballads and rock classics proved that this
entertainer (and he is a born entertainer) can pull off a show which for some would be a too
diverse set. Every track wasn’t just sang but delivered with every emotion translated perfectly.
His passion for music is clearly apparent but I think that his true musical pedigree is somewhat overshadowed by our experience of him on the X Factor show.

Raptuous applause and standing ovations followed as Rhydian raised the roof of the Symphony Hall.
I for one had my opinion changed tonight as I saw a very gracious and humble and
superbly talented man sing his heart out on stage. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this but, his voice aside, I didn’t like Rhydian but now I really do.

Set List
1. I would do anything for love
2. Not a dry eye in the house
3. I’m coming home
4. The living tree
5. There will be a time
6. Myfanwy
7. Music of the night
8. All I ask of you (with Hayley Westenra)
9. Pokarikari Ana (Hayley Westenra)
10. Mac Arthur park
11. I wont let you walk this road alone
12. To where you are
13. Heroes
14. Get this party started
15. The show must go on
16. This is my life
17. The Impossible Dream

Review – Dave Edwards
Photos – John Mason

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