Michael Kiwanuka @ The Kazimier

WHATEVER you’ve been up to over the weekend Sunday’s should not be taxing, in fact they should be thoroughly pleasant to be honest.

So whether you’ve been working too hard or playing too hard (both in my case), what better way to shake off the lethargy than with a gig from one of Britain’s most talked about, up and coming vocal sensations.

His name is MICHAEL KIWANUKA and if you’ve not heard him yet, you soon will have.

Comparisons to Bill Withers

Since supporting vocal powerhouse ADELE on tour in 2011 the hype surrounding this 24 year old North Londoner has grown and grown.

Performances on Later With Jools Holland have helped, comparisons with BILL WITHERS can have done no harm either.

His debut Liverpool show at The Kazimier sold out early last month, so arriving early I stand firm in a prime spot while every nook and cranny of this theatrical space gradually fills.

The crowd, which by the sounds of it have come from all over the North West are made to wait until the place is packed to the rafters before support band THE STAVES appear, who quickly justify the wait.

The Staves - gorgeous harmonies

There is a flicker of movement behind the curtain just before 9pm before three striking folk psirens make their way cautiously down the steep and narrow steps from the lofty heights of The Kazimier’s backstage.

They appear both charming and witty, complimenting the venue and its crowd, seeming breath-taken by what they describe as an “amazing place”. Quietly one of the three adds “glad none of us stacked it down those stairs.”

The crowd immediately warms to them, and they have the crowd’s full attention from the moment these three songbirds open their mouths - no mean feat for a support band.

Their harmonies are sumptuous and they rarely hit a note out of place.

There is a natural accord between them comparable to a female CROSBY, STILLS & NASH and connections to LAURA MARLING are both inevitable and justified.

Mexico, written in Liverpool is particularly Marling-esque, and is beautifully heartfelt.

You could hear a pin drop, or rather a Red Stripe can clunk to the ground as they open up their hearts to a crowd in raptures.

Icarus shows real quality with beautifully mapped out and clever harmonies and melodies, while the wistful I Try draws another impressive comparison, this time to legend JONI MITCHELL. 

Wisley And Slowly is an unaccompanied three-part harmony that really shows off their vocal interplay beautifully, while final number White Trees has everyones attention and they rightly receive a rapturous applause.

MK & band, getting along just fine

And so to the man himself, or should I say the men. Michael Kiwanuka brings a large entourage down the steep steps, including Hammond & Rhodes, Congas, drums, bass and an electric guitarist with an Afro that dwarfs Kiwanuka’s neat effort.

The set gets off to a light-hearted start, I’ll Get Along is warm and soulful and very easy on the ear while Need Your Company is similarly effortless.

The opening two tracks share an affinity with another rising star on the other side of the pond in ALOE BLACC, and although they aren’t mind blowing, Kiwanuka’s effortless vocals are seriously admirable.

Importantly he seems to be enjoying himself too, pausing between songs to admire his surroundings, stating “what a cool venue” before adding “and so full”, with a big grin.

It’s not all easy-going and laid back and he admits having a ‘love hate relationship with I’m Getting Ready, the song that for many launched his rise.

He respects it’s importance and plays it beautifully, seemingly genuinely pleased with it.

Tell Me A Tale ushers us away from soulful folk towards more jazz soul vibes.

It has a real GIL-SCOTT HERON feel and a really special groove.

It isn’t long before they break off into an instrumental that really allows the band to show of their talents; the jam between Hammond, electric and drums takes off and really soars, the result being a real set highlight.

Worry Walks Beside Me brings the tempo down again, the vocal truly moving, before Bones, with swing elements that show VAN MORRISON has influenced this eclectic blend of vintage sounds.

Rest provides another highlight, a reverb-laden beauty that haunts as much as it warms.

Then without warning the band leave the stage, Michael feints surprise before going on to do “a couple of songs just me and the guitar”, how all his songs are first envisioned.

Michael goes it alone "just me and the guitar"

These include his personal favourite I Won’t Lie, a touching tribute to a friend, both solo tracks best showing of his stunning vocal talents.

The band return for two more numbers and the crowd are really spoilt by versions of Home Again and one of his biggest inspirations, BILL WITHERS and a version of I Don’t Know, complete with crowd sing-a-long which he professes sounds lovely- the charmer.

He really is a delightful character, who despite obvious talent and rising hype remains cool and calm yet without any sense of ego beyond confidence in his voice and those around him.

After risking the stairs again they quickly return for an encore that includes a first, in taking on JIMI HENDRIX’s May This Be Love, which they only played in sound check for the first time.

It has breathtaking layers, and is joyful on so many levels.

It is a truly special gig for both crowd and performers, and a real plus for The Kazimier, which accommodated this performance perfectly and is surely making its way towards cult venue status.

The Kazimier - top venue, admired by Michael Kiwanuka