Lemar concert review

By Davina O-Garro

Shepherds Bush Empire, London - March 4 2004

By the time I made my way into the Shepherds Bush Empire the venue was already packed. I had to forget about trying to get close to the front as the fans were keen and no one looked like they were about to give way. Lemar's fans were made up of a diverse mix of people, with the majority being young girls. If you looked hard however, you could see the cooler, older crowd chilling by the bar area ready to appreciate Lemar from afar.

The stage lit up and his band entered. Funky beats were played as the crowd anticipated their boy. Lemar finally stepped out looking cool in his blazer and red hoody and wasted no time, going straight into ‘No Pressure’. Despite being a mid tempo song the crowd and activity on the stage, suggested otherwise. ‘Body Talk’ followed and as the first few bars were played, the girls went mad singing along to every word. If I’m not mistaken, at one point underwear was thrown onto the stage! Before this song ended, his DJ mixed in The Jackson Five's - ‘I Want You Back’ which totally threw the crowd into a further frenzie.

Dedicating his next track, ‘Good Woman’ to all the ladies in the audience, seemed to further make them warm to his every word. Next was, ‘Let’s Stay Together’, The Al Green Classic. The beauty of this song was that Lemar increased the tempo; made it more upbeat, without detracting from the formula that made it a classic.

When Lemar invited his guitarist, Angelo, to choose the next song and he chose the Darkness hit - ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’, The crowd went crazy as Lemar demonstrated just how diverse he is. Angelo ripped it on the guitar, switching to KC and Jo Jo's - ‘All My Life’ and then Marvin Gaye’s ‘Brother Brother’. Each time Lemar sung the lyrics effortlessly as though they were his own. Then the jacket came off to reveal Lemar in only a white vest as he sung Jodeci's - Freak You. Incredible. There seemed to be no limit to where Lemar could go.

Disappearing behind a curtain, Lemar returned to the stage dressed in a shiny suit and shades, singing his next track ‘Fresh’. ‘Fresh’, which going by the melody and Lemars outfit was inspired some what by Shaft. Next was his chart hit, 50/50 and then the slow jam, Lullaby, which was definitely also another crowd pleaser. Lighters were flashed in the air and the whole crowd were all on their feet waving and singing along. Lemar completed the night with the more uptemp ‘Dance (With U)’ which when heard live, makes you really appreciate the single.

Lemar thanked the crowd for being amazing but if we were amazing it was only because he was. What a great relationship. The crowd appreciating Lemar and him really loving us back. If you went in, not knowing what to expect, you would have been blown away. Lemar left the stage to the sounds of crashing cymbals and drums, going out literally with a bang! Wow, that’s all I can say.

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