Wes O’Neill
The turn of November may have brought a more wintery chill but in the quaint city of Bath at The Forum, in days gone by it was a cinema where people would have stood to “God Saves The Queen” after the film, there was to be a warm embrace of an outstanding performer in Beth Hart. For this tour there was a difference - no full band backed by fine and more than able musicians but a peeled back, intimate and inviting set spanning her continuing expanding catalogue. Such evenings are traditionally billed as “An Evening With...”, but there was no need for such a strapline as a powerhouse performer, fashioned by her own path, was in town and she is a force of nature to be reckoned with.
Entering the stage waving to grand applause, kneeling in the middle of the minimalist set on stage, Beth sang acapella which laid out her cards and drew the audience in from the off. With an ode to a dear friend, the upbeat and challenging to potential thoughts “Might As Well Smile” was followed by the Tom Waits classic “Chocolate Jesus” on the piano, which set the tone for nearly 2 hours of delightful and hauntingly beautiful music that lingered on after each note.
There is the concern that a solo show can come across as self indulgent and lack pace, but for Beth this was simply never on the cards which she showed in her first few hands. The song selection, attention to dynamics, the contrast of adeptly playing an electronic piano, guitar or acoustic bass, through to the storytelling and bona fide heartfelt engagement with the audience (which featured Beth’s sister who had flew in for the occasion) put paid to that. This is a testament to her as a performer and a lady who wishes to not only sing, but for the audience to be part of it and deeply feel every word, timbre and nuance. The veracity of this performance showed that Beth’s control, range and sheer power in her voice are a must study for all aspiring vocalists along with her energy that gleamingly emanated from the stage and was reminiscent of Tori Amos in her prime.
It’s said that “everyone has a book inside of them”. Beth has a sweeping story arc that would rival any saga of epic bestsellers having been to hell and back in her personal life. Tonight she was valiant enough to share some of these moments in many of the songs including “Setting Me Free” and “Leave The Light On”. These were exceptionally juxtaposed by the darkly humoured backstories to “Love is a Lie” and “Ugliest House On The Block”. In light of recent passings of musicians due to mental health issues, Beth is to be highly commended for sharing such moments which have been part of her rollercoaster of a journey and this resonated with many in the audience who may have been affected by such times themselves or who have loved ones who have. The power of the healing properties of music forged from within the soul and gifted to all should never be underestimated.
Every song was met with zealous applause from the near sell out audience with many gaining standing ovations from some, with all upstanding at the evenings culmination all blessed by such a triumphant and captivating evening from one of our time in history’s finest talents in Beth Hart. Arguably this may well have been one of the most prolific solo shows of a short string of dates by any artist, of any genre, anywhere in the world in 2017.
Beth Hart returns to the UK with her full band show in 2018 including a sold out night at The Royal Albert Hall. Full listings and ticket links below:
BETH HART
APRIL/MAY 2018 UK TOUR
DUBLIN VICAR STREET
TUESDAY 10th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: +353 1 775 5800
BOOK ONLINE: http://www.ticketmaster.ie/venueartist/198259/935151
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
58-59 THOMAS ST, THE LIBERTIES, DUBLIN 8, IRELAND
IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
THURSDAY 12th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01473 433100
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
3 ST. HELEN'S ST, IPSWICH IP4 1HE
BEXHILL DE LA WARR PAVILION
SATURDAY 14th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01424 229111
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
MARINA, BEXHILL-ON-SEA TN40 1DP
NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL
SUNDAY 15th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 0115 989 5555
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
THEATRE SQUARE, NOTTINGHAM NG1 5ND
OXFORD NEW THEATRE
WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3020
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
GEORGE ST, OXFORD OX1 2AG
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/
FOLKESTONE LEAS HALL
THURSDAY 19th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01303 228600
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
THE LEAS, FOLKESTONE CT20 2DZ
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/leas-cliff-hall//
CARDIFF ST DAVID HALL
SATURDAY 21st APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 029 2087 8444
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
9-11 THE HAYES, CARDIFF CF10 1AH
http://www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/
CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
TUESDAY 24th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01223 357851
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
2 WHEELER ST, CAMBRIDGE CB2 3QB
https://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/cornex/
BLACKPOOL OPERA HOUSE
THURSDAY 26th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 0844 856 1111
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
97 CHURCH ST, BLACKPOOL FY1 1HL
http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/venue/opera-house/
HULL CITY HALL
FRIDAY 27th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01482 300306
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
QUEEN VICTORIA SQUARE, CARR LN, HULL HU1 3RQ
https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/
READING HEXAGON
MONDAY 30th APRIL 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 0118 960 6060
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
QUEENS WALK, BERKSHIRE, READING, READING RG1 7UA
https://www.readingarts.com/hexagon
PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL
TUESDAY 1st MAY 2018
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 023 9387 0200
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com/beth-hart-tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
GUILDHALL SQUARE, PORTSMOUTH PO1 2AB
http://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/
SOLD OUT LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL SOLD OUT
FRIDAY 4th MAY 2018
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 020 7589 8212
BOOK ONLINE: www.alttickets.com
BOOK ONLINE: www.royalalberthall.com/tickets
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
KENSINGTON GORE, LONDON, SW7 2AP
CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 5th MAY 2018
TICKETS GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER
VENUE BOX OFFICE: 01242 850270
BOOK ONLINE: http://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/whats-on/2018/beth-hart/
TICKETS: www.bethhart.com/tour
www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/