Olivia Dean, Albert Hall, Manchester: A spellbinding, intimate showcase review • DIY Magazine

It’s been two years since Olivia Dean last played Manchester’s Albert Hall, she recalls on stage, framed in a sultry spotlight and surrounded by a sea of flickering candles. It’s a setting that’s nothing short of majestic for the five-time BRIT Award nominee, who now arrives on that same stage for a hugely intimate performance, as part of War Child’s annual run of special charity shows leading up the main ceremony. The iconic North West venue makes for a stunning backdrop with its ecclesiastical interiors, and is filled to the brim with palpably excitable fans from all walks of life - an immediately obvious cross-section of the superstar’s wide appeal.

In those two years, Olivia has risen exponentially through the ranks, her pending tour dates now far surpassing the modest size of tonight’s stage, with multiple dates across global arenas - not least, four nights at New York City’s world-famous Madison Square Garden - booked in for the months ahead. With the release of last year’s acclaimed ‘The Art Of Loving’ - for which most of this evening’s reaction is saved - she’s forged a meteoric climb to the top, but as she takes fans back to the start, there’s a clear sense that everyone here has been with her for the entire journey.

Slotted in after opener ‘Lady Lady’, an early outing for the insatiable ‘Nice To Each Other’ truly kickstarts the night, as Oliva glides from full band to acoustic guitar, even touching on acapella. Each variation is delivered flawlessly, dominated by her smooth and effortless vocals, every note as elegant as her shimmering green dress. There’s a touch of consistent nostalgia to all that she presents, be it her homage to smoky jazz clubs or her beaming adoration for the on-stage musicians. At one moment, it’s the band themselves who take centre stage, playfully called forward by the star as she loses herself in their own music.

As free flowing as it is meticulous, and as effortless as it is perfect, the whole performance is heightened even more by her ebullient personality, which positively radiates from the stage in a manner belying her superstar status. As rousing closer ‘Man I Need’ rings out in tonight’s intimate setting, it’s easy to understand Olivia Dean’s unparalleled rise. If two years can cement such growth, there’s no telling what the next can bring - but surely, undoubtedly, they’ll hold a BRIT Award or two.

Tags: Olivia Dean, Reviews, Live Reviews