Ben Howard

Queen’s Hall is a modest, quietly confident venue. Its mid-sized floor space is hugged by a horse shoe-shaped balcony from where you can admire the simple yet elegant ceiling moulds. If you’re not fortunate enough to be in the front row then this is the best place to experience Ben Howard. He offers a shy, friendly wave to the crowd. They respond with cheers and their best impressions of his most popular song – ‘Wolves’. The subject of love meanders through Howard’s album, Every Kingdom. Tonight that same theme seeps into the atmosphere. As he allows an infectious smile to spread happily across his face I succumb and begin to fall in love.

Howard opens with ‘Depth Over Distance’. It quickly becomes apparent how much more emotive and powerful his tender voice is in reality .He continues with the song ‘Gracious’ which leads beautifully into ‘Only Love’. This slow-starting song escalates into an up-tempo collaboration with the crowd where both parties yell “Love!” back and forth to each other. ‘Diamonds’ carries the momentum forward and the audience grows decidedly giddier. Then a silence falls over the stage. Howard begins to pluck a melody that descends through the scales. ‘Old Pine’, my favourite. His form is silhouetted against the stage lights; his hauntingly soothing voice effortlessly entrances the crowd. Their previous levity subdued. A true master of his skill he does not allow this lull to last. With a cheeky smile, he launches into the bridge which he teases out for a build-up that succeeds in whipping his fans back into frenzy before returning to a chorus that appears to burst forth, electrifying the hall. ‘Wolves’ provides a similar reaction. Howard knows what his audience wants and he has no qualms in delivering. He carries them with him through the well-known chorus to the end where he revisits their previous interaction of “Love! Love! Love!” and finishes with a fast-paced, lactic acid-inducing duet with his guitar and the drummer.

There was so much to this gig. From the talented band that included a pretty backing vocalist who accompanied on bass, cello and drums to the UK premier of his song ‘Burgh Island’. An electric guitar demonstrating another example of his varied style. Queen’s Hall itself appeared to come alive during the evening with shadows climbing the walls and dancing across the ceilings. Amongst the anecdotes and banter that Howard weaved through his set he took a moment to take in the beauty of this impressionable room. These were among the many examples of how lovely Ben Howard is. His talent, his camaraderie with his fans, his connection with his band as they hugged and bowed to us a goodbye all made for a memorable, and love- filled night. Stay lovely, Ben Howard.