Live in LDN Review: John Legend & The Roots at Hammersmith Apollo

Saturday night at the Apollo, I arrived at Hammersmith with hoards of music lovers patiently waiting outside in the cold, ready for their fix of the musical winter warmer provided by John Legend & The Roots.

Once Katy B toasted the packed crowd with new tracks including ‘Lights on’ and the smash ‘Katy on a Mission’ (which will FOREVER be a banging tune – yes forever), the sophisticated mix of music connoisseurs and loyal fans were eager to get a taste of this unique collaboration. And we were certainly satisfied.

Roars of adult screams were unexpected but welcomed as Legend took his seat at his piano and ?uestlove sprinkled his cymbals as they broke into ‘Hard Times’. As they paid homage to each great and went through their revival take on the covers, any chance Black Thought got on the mic, the Roots fans made themselves known.

#Appreciation

Hearing every instrument on tracks like ‘Wake Up Everybody’, ‘I Can’t Write Left Handed’ and ‘Wholy Holy’ without any extra pre recorded sound was literally music to my ears. Each instrument could be heard as crisp as it can on a mastered CD.  It helped that each musician had enough space on the stage to own their own individual spotlight with the huge Wake Up corner store behind them. The simplicity of the stage set was enough production and certainly did not distract you from the vocal genius of the Legend.

The guy is a G. A vocal G! Period.

You sometimes forgot how much talent he has and hits. He reminded us of some of the classics, as the lights darkened and the focus was on Legend and the piano. He gave us renditions of ‘Save Room’, ‘Green Light’ and ‘Doing It Again’. With the addition of the church organ, electric guitar and ?uestlove’s drum rolls *drummer love*, and those adlibs that just make you quiver, I almost, just almost forgave the Ledge for the sophomore album he delivered. Almost.

The Roots got some nostalgic love too, performing the classic ‘The Seed’ that had everyone straight grooving. Also a cameo performance from Estelle in place of Ms Badu – “You Got Me” –  assured me that her vocals have got much better, compared to when I last saw her circa’ 07. Still no Badu, but loved it same way.

The renaissance sound of the 60′s/70′s era that they created sounded fresh and most importantly authentic. I admit I was not completely sold by the album initially, but hearing it live has definitely pushed me to revisit.

Each bass line, guitar riff and kick of a drum *again, drummer love* made it’s way round the venue, seeping into each one of us. The amazing harmonies of the three badass backing singers, who could probably (vocally) murder most girl groups around these days twice over, blended beautiful with Legend’s and mos def left all with a warming feeling.

The night could not be faulted on any point. Simplistically about the music, no gimmicks, no hype, just The Roots, John Legend and one stage for them to Shine. Ironic this was the last song.