Last month I had the opportunity to watch the latest instalment of the Vintage TV Sessions being filmed, and what an experience it was! Ken Bruce, an experienced presenter who’s hosted shows on BBC Radio 2 for 30 years, guided us through the day’s selection of performers — a varied cohort, but all of high quality and all bringing their own talent to the performance.
First was Erasure’s own Andy Bell, performing a stripped-down set alone on stage and proving that sometimes the simple things are the best. He gave us a personal and deeply moving choice of songs, both solo and by Erasure, and treated each one with his voice’s unique expressiveness.
He was followed by Gabrielle Aplin, a singer who made her start on YouTube and has gone on to achieve well-deserved success. She stunned the audience with her powerful voice, bringing a vivid set of her own songs to the show and making each one resonate with genuine emotion as well as a humility.
Next up was the new band All Kings and Queens, fronted by Gabriella Cilmi and backed by a blisteringly fiery band featuring her brother Joseph. Their music was electrifying, overflowing with raw power and made all the more primal by their singer’s wild movement. An absolutely mesmerising set.
And to close out the Vintage TV Sessions, Leee John swept onto the stage, full of performing pizzazz. He brought charisma to every note he sang, giving a show even more dazzling than his sequin-covered clothes, taking us through high, energetic songs to slow, smooth and soulful and then to the grand finale.
All in all, another incredible show from Vintage TV!
