The Emerald Theatre provided an intimate, gilded backdrop for the latest installment of the BRITs Week for War Child concert series. On Wednesday night, the venue hosted a lineup defined by a sophisticated Italian theme, weaving together Mediterranean roots and powerhouse vocals.
The evening began with Australian-born Gabriella Cilmi, who got the night off to a wondrous start. Performing with a soulful grit, she reminded the audience exactly why she became a global sensation, with her raw, blues-infused pop.
The showcase then paired the operatic pop of Katherine Jenkins with the continental folk-soul of Jack Savoretti, but before the music took hold, we were grounded by a vital reminder of our purpose. War Child provides a lifeline to children caught in the crossfire of global conflict, safeguarding their futures through a combination of rapid emergency response and long-term psychological healing. The evening’s most profound moment came with the story of a young girl from Lebanon; despite seeing her world shattered by violence, the support of War Child enabled her to reclaim her path, eventually graduating from university to become a doctor. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of every contribution made tonight.
Katherine Jenkins opened the proceedings with a worthy selection of crossover standards, appearing in a sequined floor-length gown with a matching microphone. Highlights came in the form of "Parla Più Piano," the theme from The Godfather, serving as a showcase for her lower register and crisp Italian diction.
A significant portion of Jenkins’ repertoire focused on her affinity for the Italian language. She performed a rendition of Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You," translated into Italian—a version for which she secured personal permission from Parton. The mood shifted toward the personal with "Jealous of the Angels," a track dedicated to her late father and all those dealing with loss. She concluded her solo segment with the inevitable "Time to Say Goodbye," delivered with the expected level of soaring vocal projection that has become her trademark.
Following an interval, Jack Savoretti took the stage, opening with "Candlelight." The track's whistled refrain produced pin-drop silence before his distinctive gravelled baritone took over; check out our exclusive video below. Tonight, Savoretti’s performance style was that of the traditional raconteur, relying on a minimal arrangement of piano and acoustic guitar to frame his considerable songwriting skills.
His set moved through the playful "What More Can I Do?" and it was hard not to get carried away in the moment. An emotional twist followed with "Catapult," which Savoretti credits as "life-changing" after Graham Norton asked him onto his show to perform it. There were also some new songs thrown into the mix tonight, which will hopefully appear on the next album, featuring all the flair and emotion one would associate with and expect from Savoretti. "Do It For Love" was a particular favorite.
In an evening of otherwise polished production, Savoretti's rasping vocals provided a welcome edge, and the wonderful "We Will Always Be The Way We Were" offered another emotional high. He tipped his hat to Simon & Garfunkel with a beautiful rendition of "Kathy’s Song." "Soldier’s Eyes," "Knock Knock," and "Home" further showcased his illustrious repertoire.
The finale brought Katherine Jenkins back to the stage for a collaborative encore of Burt Bacharach’s "What the World Needs Now Is Love." It was the perfect ending to a night dedicated to humanitarian fundraising and another classic BRITs Week for War Child gig.
