^

Music

IN PHOTOS: iTunes Festival 2013 (Week 4)

The Philippine Star

 

Performance highlights

September 22

Topping the bill for the second year in a row, Ellie Goulding took to the stage and launched into "Don't Say A Word" from her sophomore album Halcyon, with the audience embracing the show whole heartedly from the very first song. A black glitter-encrusted drum was positioned at the front of the stage, which gave her ample opportunity to show off her drumming prowess during a rousing rendition of "Only You". Breakthrough hit "Starry Eyed" was performed to passionate applause, and an enraptured audience hung onto every word of an emotional rendition of "I Know You Care". Goulding saved the most upbeat tracks to the encore, with a show stopping version of recent No.1 hit "Burn", and the recent Calvin Harris collaboration "I Need Your Love".

Kicking off the night was vocalist Laura Welsh, performing her own distinctive brand of piano driven blues pop with soulful vocals. Highlights included the Dev Hynes produced "Unravel", and her follow up single Cold Front.
 
September 23

Backed by a superb band and three backup singers, Jessie J opened her 15-song set with an amazing version of her hit "Price Tag" and immediately followed with "Sexy Lady" the current popular song off the new album. All her hits and new songs were performed like pop music is supposed to be. There were two special guests - Brandy featured on "Conquer the World" and Dizzee Rascal rapped on the current hit single "Wild". By the time she finished with "Alive" she had the audience eating from the palm of her hands. Truly a memorable performance from a world class artist.

Lawson’s 2012 album Chapman Square was about as big as a debut can be; it delivered a handful of Top 20 hits and introduced the British guitar band to sold-out audiences across the world. The young crowd sang along as they played their hit singles. Stand out tracks were "Brokenhearted" and "Juliet".

September 24

Robin Thicke performed a sultry set with his smartly dressed backing band Black Daddy, and a trio of backing vocalists. Highlights from the set included the pop heavy "Shakin It 4 Daddy" and "Oh Shooter", a throwback to his 2003 album A Beautiful World. Homage was paid to both Michael Jackson and Al Green with soulful, pitch perfect covers of "Rock With You" and "Let's Stay Together". For the encore, Thicke shimmied & shook his way through the behemoth hit "Blurred Lines", and a cover of the Kanye West smash "Clique".

Aloe Blacc and his band opened the show with a magnificent set of soul, funk and reggae. The assembled fans were ready to get their groove on and the LA troubadour did not disappoint. Highlights form the set included the timeless "I Need A Dollar", and "Wake Me Up", Blacc's recent hit collaboration with Swedish dance producer Avicii.

September 26

Backed by a live band, Tinie began the night with the grimey "Intro" & "Frisky" from his debut album Disc-overy. The assembled crowd were eager to emulate Tinie's every move, with thousands of hands raised in the air in his signature 'W' sign during his performance of Wonderman. A performance of the hands-in-the-air anthem Children Of The Sun featured an appearance from Swedish House Mafia vocalist John Martin, while the lyrics "I Can Feel An Earthquake Up In Here" were prophetic given the explosive crowd reaction in the Roundhouse.  The encore "Pass Out", Tinie's biggest hit to date, closed the night with the the entire crowd screaming every single word back onto the stage.

UK hip-hop was the focus of the 26th night of the iTunes Festival, with London producer Naughty Boy kicking off the evening's performances. The artist, also known as Shahid Khan, performed a relentless set of his radio friendly hits, aided by a star studded cast of guest vocalists including Gabrielle, Krept & Konan, & Ella Eyre.

September 27

Dizzee Rascal's set included tracks from the 2003 Mercury Music Prize winning Boy In Da Corner up to new album including "Fix Up, Look Sharp", "Bonkers" and "Dance Wiv Me". Highlight tracks from his soon-to-be-released new album "The Fifth" were "Heart of a Warrior", a duet with Jessie J "We Dont Play Around", "I Love This Town" and "Something Really Bad". He also sang a duet with newcomer Angel on "Good".

Mercury Prize nominee and Brit School graduate - Katy B, got things off to a funky R&B dubstep start with well-known hits like "Lights on" and Broken Record", also performing her brand new single "5am".

September 28

A perfect way to spend a Saturday night, fans hung on to every word to songs off John Legend's acclaimed new album Love in the Future, the standout tracks were "All of Me", "Made to Love" and "Who do we think we Are". He didn't disappoint with songs from his previous albums - "Save Room", "Tonight", "Green Light" and of course "Ordinary People" which had the crowd singing along, and walking out the venue harmonising the uniquely John Legend melodies.

Tamar Braxton's entry into the music industry came through her five-member sibling group, the Braxtons. She performed songs from her new album Love and War and proved to be a worthy opener for John Legend. On the strength of its timeless Mtume sample, “The One” is already a huge hit, while songs like “Prettiest Girl,” “Stay and Fight,” and the title track ground "Love and War" showed her raw emotion and life experiences.

September 29

The packed-to-the-brim Roundhouse heard tracks from JT's new album which already sound like undeniable hits  - "TKO", "Take Back the Night" and "True Blood". He had the crowd literally eating from the palm of his hand with hits like "Mirrors", "Suit & Tie", "Cry Me a River" and "Rock Your Body". Certainly one of the highlights of the entire month.

Known for featuring on Rihanna's huge hit "Stay", Mikky Ekko is certainly an artist to watch.  We are already seeing greatness from this highly talented singer/songwriter/composer and collaborator. His 8-song set was a perfect musical opening to JT with hit material like "Pull Me Down", "Kids" and "Made of Light". Its good to know the world now knows of Mikky Ekko.

September 30

Katy Perry had the crowd singing every word on her evergreen hits "Firework", "I Kissed a Girl", "California Gurl" and "Part of Me". She also sang an exclusive gorgeous ballad performed for the very first time "By The Grace of God." An amazing high-note end to an an incredible month of Music.

Australian model and hip-hop sensation Iggy Azalea’s provocative rhymes and adopted Southern swagger showed her undeniable magnetism singing hits likje "Work" and "Bounce".

Icona Pop offered an explosive mix of slamming electro-pop beats and defiant, hard-partying lyrics to get the evening started. Stand out tracks included "All Night" and "I Love It"

Visit http://www.philstar.com/music/itunesfestival daily and find out who else will rock the Roundhouse in London this whole month of September!

 

 

 

ALBUM

AMP

DIZZEE RASCAL

HIT

HITS

JOHN LEGEND

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Latest
abtest
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with