REVIEW: Jamie T, Portsmouth Guildhall

JAMIE T blasted back to the south coast with a brilliant show alongside a stunning new album.

The British indie hip-hop and all round singing star showed in the words of one of his most famous songs that he’s still running with believers as he wowed a sold out Portsmouth Guildhall with an epic 90 minute session.

Power over Men, Tesco Land and Solomon Eagle from new album Trick saw his raucous fans bouncing and shoulder surfing as soon as he came on stage. Before long they were dancing on their seats in the upper balconies as the frantically urgent Rabbit Hole and Sticks and Stones took things even further.

“I’m going to need some help with this one” said Jamie before launching in 368 and gaining over 2,000 new backing singers.

On Shelia, a song from breakthrough album Panic Prevention, the Wimbledon singer, who plays Bournemouth next week, abandoned his guitar to race up and down the long Guildhall stage in full MC mode to the delight of his singing fans.

While Jamie’s early work often tells of stories of getting into scrapes on the streets of South London, his fourth effort is a sweeping and sometimes dark voyage from the ominous Drone Strike to the reflective, but uplifting, Sign of the Times and an intriguing historical fixation on truly great rock and roll tunes Joan of Arc and Robin Hood.

Already one of Britain’s best live performers, Jamie T has again boldly put a marker down for one of the albums of the year. And this show renewed his already strong bond with the south.

Zombie, the hit single from Carry on the Grudge, was the winner of the encore, but an acoustic version of early favourite Back in the Game proved strong competition. This singer-songwriter still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve.

Jamie T returns to play the O2 Academy Bournemouth next Wednesday. His album Trick is out now.

RICHARD DERBYSHIRE