Concert Review: Joe Brooks ‘LIVE’ In Singapore at Esplanade Recital Studios

While most of Singapore came to a standstill yesterday evening due to the debacle that was the malfunctioned train system, time stood still for a totally different reason for about 250 lucky concert-goers at the Esplanade Recital Studio. British singer-songwriter Joe Brooks was in town to mesmerise the audience with his sick vocal prowess, with a performance that lasted about an hour.

The Recital Studio was the perfect setting for Brooks’ vision, where he promised his Singapore fans an intimate experience. True to his word, he came armed with only two guitars on stage and no band, just a stripped down acoustic performance. Emerging from the shadows to a rousing crowd who went ballistic at the sight of the man himself (myself included), you could tell that at once he felt a little overwhelmed by the reaction. He went on to hug a lucky couple of front-row seaters, and then broke into his first number World At Our Feet, from his debut album Constellation Me. 

He also sang most of the songs on his fan-funded EP, A Reason to Swim, of which he broke into an extended rendition of Green Eyes, that was different from the CD version. I found his control of his vocal range pretty astounding, especially whenever he tackled the falsetto part of every song. Facial expressions aside, Brooks’ was lost in his own little world on that no-barriers stage as he hit every note and lick with precision.

Bantering with the fans, he also taught them how to do a Michael Jackson-esque yowl, that “really only comes from America”, and he asked the crowd to imagine they were from the “deep South, Texas or something, or like a cowgirl, I don’t know…” and do it from the “back of the throat, side of the mouth”. After which, he played his most famous hit to date, Superman, and had to stop in the middle of it, for a member of the audience tried that yowl which came out wrong and caused him to step back from the mike to laugh. It was a rare moment indeed. You can find that on the video here.

What was truly one of the highlights of the night was the exclusive track he played for his Singapore fans. Brooks’ said he had only finished writing this song just last Tuesday, and wanted to test the waters. Titled Til My Heart Stops Beating, I immediately fell in love with the catchy chorus and felt the tune was a mixture of influences from Jason Mraz and Maroon 5. Do listen to it below, as it is a work of art in my honest opinion, and fingers crossed it will be recorded and included in his next album.

These Broken Hands of Mine was also a surprisingly tearjerking moment, as the vulnerability and emotions in the song were deeply enhanced with Brooks’ falsetto and  acoustic guitar. The whole crowd went silent as his voice ricocheted around the semi-circle studio. Kudos to the production team who chose the venue because it was the perfect setting.

One gripe was the signing and photo-taking session after the showcase could have been organised in a more efficient manner. The fact that Brooks’ was sweet enough to take the time to sign each and every memorabilia and still take a photo with each and every fan must be applauded because he looked really tired after the first 100 fans. The lighting at the waiting area outside the studio was not the best, and I felt that the signing session could have taken place in the studio itself, with fans lining up orderly section by section.

Still, what a great night, and what a great honour it was to have heard Joe Brooks live; you have never really been to a concert unless you have heard him sing, that was how good he was. And yes, for those who did not manage to catch him yesterday, he promised to return next year, so til my heart stops beating, my heart will wait.

Set List: (not particularly in order)

1. World At Our Feet
2. Someday
3. I Find the Light in You
4. Superman
5. Apple
6. Green Eyes
7. Til My Heart Stops Beating (new exclusive)
8. Holes Inside
9. Kaleidoscope
10. These Broken Hands of Mine
11. My Heart Will Wait