Newton Faulkner plays AZUZA

By Jamie Hill

Newton Faulkner Live PA at AZUZA in Marlborough followed by signing at Sound Knowledge Record Shop on Wednesday July 11.

Newton Faulkner is a lovely bloke. I've chatted to him twice now for The Ocelot and he is one of the easiest people to talk to that I've ever come across for the magazine. He is charming and affable and this is something that definitely comes across in his live performance.

His early evening performance outside of AZUZA in Marlborough had been organised by neighbouring Sound Knowledge Record Shop and it was absolutely packed inside and out of the venue. There must have been about 400 people there.

He is known especially for his live performances and has built up a huge fanbase built on the back of them. And he didn't disappoint as he belted out song after song in his 45 minute set.

Newton was there to promote his new album 'Write it on your Skin' and he played a combination of his older more well-known hits and some of his new material.

Songs such as 'Dream Catch Me' and his version of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop' went down especially well but there was also a massively positive reaction to his new single 'Clouds'.

This guy is an amazing guitarist with vocals to match. He is a wonder to watch as he plays with an easy swagger that sometimes conceals the pure skill on display at the same time.

But it was the way he controlled the audience that was the most impressive part. His repartee between songs, his easy manner and anecdotal banter made you feel that you were part of the performance. He also got the audience involved in song after song even going so far as making everybody pogo on the spot. Watching a few hundred people jump up and down was definitely a sight to behold.

After the gig I did not see a single person without a smile on their face. This was testament to what a masterful performance this was.

And the fact that it was a free gig put together by those lovely people at AZUZA and Sound Knowledge in Hughendon Yard makes it even better. I'll definitely be supporting both of those businesses as much as I can to make sure that these types of gigs continue....