When the weather delivers the kind of summer evenings we have been experiencing lately, there are few better places to listen to live music than The Piece Hall in Halifax.
On this July evening, the Italianate pillars are cast in golden light as the sun sets over West Yorkshire. The air, still warm from the scorching day, is buzzing with anticipation for the arrival of the soulful tones of Rag ‘n’ Bone Man: a.k.a. Rory Graham.
With crisp, cold beers in hand, the crowd welcomed Graham to the stage with a roar that looks like it still catches the singer off guard.
Somewhat bashfully, he makes his way to centre stage, smiling sweetly as he soaks up this perfect summer scene. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Graham is not churning out record after record in an effort to capitalise on his success. Following the success of his breakout record Human in 2016, he’s offered us just two further studio albums, ‘Life by Misadventure’ in 2021 and last year’s What Do You Believe In?, along with a handful of red hot collaborations. He opens the set with one of those – the massive ‘Lovers in a Past Life’ and the throbbing bassline immediately ignites that energy that has been fizzing around the arena all evening.
Quietly, almost unnoticed, Graham’s son has placed a paper plane on the side of the stage for his dad to sign and launch into the crowd. Despite all his fatherly encouragement, he cannot convince the youngster to come forward and throw the folded flying machine towards the front row. Instead, Graham takes the responsibility of sending his signature towards a lucky fan.
He effortlessly moves into his more familiar balladry with ‘Skin’ and unleashes the real power of his rich, affecting baritone. Nowhere is it more effectively used than in ‘Grace’, a single from the ‘Human’ record, and one of his most deeply moving pieces. Around the arena, hanging on every word. the crowd were feeling the goosebumps despite the warmest of evenings.
Throughout, he interacts with the crowd, telling the stories of the songs, but with a self-effacing humility that belies the talent he has within.
More of the collaborations feature, teaming up with one of his backing vocalists for Anywhere Away From Here, originally recorded with Pink. And the parents will have momentarily turned away from their pricey pints to take in the message from Iron. Dedicating it to his son and family, it’s a heartfelt story of vulnerability, support and being there for someone else, even when you’re struggling yourself. Another moment when Graham earned the undivided attention of 6,000 people.
Somewhat inevitably, we are led towards Human – his most commercially successful song to date. It’s anthemic, the crowd singing with conviction while Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s voice cuts through the desk with the same power as it had from the very first note.
If this had been the closer, this would have sent a lot of the crowd home satisfied. but following a knowing “fake” departure, we’re treated to two further numbers – Put A Little Hurt On Me and his other huge collaboration with Calvin Harris – Giant. A perfectly appropriate way to end the night – a giant voice. expressing his giant soul.
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