Sat 9 Feb
words: ANTONIA LEVAY
★★★★☆
A self-confessed foodie and passionate cook, a former singer in a burlesque cabaret act and unsurprisingly a magician’s assistant, Paloma Faith arrived on the art deco-inspired stage in a beautiful midnight blue gown, behind two huge feather fans, like a 50s screen siren, walking onto a film set.
Her first Welsh appearance set the crowd off into delirious applauding and screaming. She launched into her set, comprising selections from her current album Fall From Grace and what are presumably some favourites from her first album from 2009, Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?. Her voice was at its most powerful when Just Be, her favourite track, was performed while sitting on top of the piano; it showcased her incredible vocals, and at times offered a slow and silent breather to the climatic chorus.
The only disappointment was the sound in the arena, which at times caused the vocals to clash with the musicians, rendering the sound fuzzy and tinny. This appeared to be nothing at all to do with her vocals, but the mixing and sound guys clearly had some issues. Despite this, Never Tear Us Apart and New York got the crowd in further fits of adoration, and her friendly chatter and funny one-liners made her even more appealing to the already converted fans in a jam packed arena.
Her glamour and pure style carried the show through to its climax of Stone Cold Sober and Upside Down followed by Paloma exiting the stage with a simple bow. Fabulous in every way.