Roachford

(With Support from Charley Stride and President Street)

Having enjoyed Roachford’s exceptional music since the early 80’s, to be asked by the venue to photograph his show in Southampton was particularly pleasing. 

The evening started with two support acts, from opposite side of the globe. First up was Charley astride. A local Artist who was accompanied by the superb Laurence Henderson on guitar and the multi-instrumental Renes on Keys. It was a wonderful start to the evening. Charley played her original songs with a few well known covers. The audience, who, like most audiences when a support act takes the stage, were rather distracted with their conversations at first. But, when Charley’s beautiful voice filled the room, the attention quickly shifted to the stage. 

This set the scene for the second act who had flown over from Australia fr the tour. President Street who took their name from a road in Perth where one of the band grew up were born for the stage. The lead singer walked on stage with a captivating swagger and she continued the set with the same confidence as her entrance. The band consisted of an English Guitarist and her fellow Australian playing “everything else”. Superb original music from start to finish with a captivating stage presence.

By the time Roachford came to the stage, the anticipation had grown in the room. Wearing a white suit jacket and with a beaming smile, it was clear that Andrew Roachford planned to enjoy his final evening on stage with this Twice In A Lifetime Tour. 

He didn’t disappoint! His seemingly effortless keyboard skills and his truly mesmerising vocals had the crowd in the palm of his hand from the start. Ocassionally teasing the crowd with a few bars of his biggest hits, though he clearly planned to save them for later. 

There was a solo part in the middle of the set when Roachford was enjoying some self indulgence on the keyboard which everyone loved. This was a clever section that, even if it was pre-rehearsed, gave the feeling of a unique part of the Tour. Add some chat with the audience and everyone felt it was something just for them. 

When the rest of the band returned to the stage, it was time for some audience participation with some call and returns that went down a storm. Then the last few songs included some big hits when the crowd took over on lead vocals! 

Roachford’s stage craft and interaction with his audience would have been a lesson to so many Artists. His skills, honed over plenty of years on stage, were obvious. Confident, supremely talented, and, when I had the chance to meet and speak with him after the show, a genuinely lovely person with a passion for his music and time for his fans. 

I hope I get to see this great performer again soon. 

Photos and Review by: Peter Nicholson

(Photos: Copyright Peter Nicholson Photography 2022)

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