Star Lemar shows the others how it's done

Published on Monday 29 September 2008 09:59

Lemar and Leon Jackson *** Queen's Hall THE seemingly endless search for the perfect pop package perpetuated by Saturday night ratings-busting behemoths such as Fame Academy and X Factor has long been a concern of the dedicated music fan: can their made-by-committee nature really produce anything other than a homogenised end product, to be sold in units to unwary minors?

Judging by the reaction from the fans that turned up at the Queen's Hall yesterday, the answer would seem to be "yes".

Part of the Asda Be Live tour, bringing UK pop acts to locations around the country, the concert saw a few hundred young, and not so young, fans wait eagerly for the main draws of the day, Scotland's Leon Jackson and headliner Lemar, to appear.

First up was Natalia, fresh from supporting Girls Aloud on tour. Bursting on to the stage with gusto, her enthusiasm was much needed for an afternoon crowd that was perhaps still showing a little too much Sunday reserve. Gamely trying to involve those assembled with songs Pretty Like Me and Creep, she ended with a cover of Adam and the Ants' Prince Charming.

Next up was 2007 X Factor winner Leon, the favourite of the audience if the banners being waved in the stalls and the huge applause were anything to go by. With the release of his first album still pending, Jackson's fanbase has, up to now, had to make do with one single and a few previous tour appearances around the UK to maintain its interest.

Kicking off with a cover of Dougie Maclean's Caledonia, this was a chance for Jackson to perform something special for the home crowd. Sadly his rendition didn't rise above karaoke cover version, with little sign of the singer trying to add anything new to the classic. The remainder of Leon's performance offered up a passable run through his new single, Don't Call this Love, and the 2007 Christmas hit, When You Believe. While the latter reached number one with ease last year, this version – which included sound distortion on the backing tracks at high levels – lacked emotion or energy, even if the crowd did lap it up.

Peppering his short set with thanks to his supporters and plugs for his upcoming album, Leon's inability to converse with much depth or clarity to the crowd will do little to silence those who might claim reality music shows are based on looks and luck alone.

Last on stage was Lemar, the elder statesman of the concert (he came third on the now defunct BBC Fame Academy way back in 2002). Accompanied by two backing singers and a guitarist, hit singles 50/50 and It's Not That Easy were a reminder of the smooth vocals which have earned the singer respectability away from the reality TV circus.

The layered guitars and constant pulsating beat of new single If She Knew, combined with the artist's undoubted zeal, suggested another number one in the making. With his last two songs, If There's Any Justice and Dance (With U), Lemar finally got the audience in the dancing mood, the latter the best received of the day.

With no sign of nerves, Lemar took time to pay attention to the whole room, encouraging the audience to sing along. Whether jumping into the crowd to shake his fans' hands or entering into some banter with his backing group, Lemar's talent as both singer and showman left the audience on a definite up note.