Fan of Benjamin Clementine

Yesterday, as a birthday present for mi boy, we went to an intimate concert from Benjamin Clementine at the MC Theater in Amsterdam. This singer and songwriter from London has spent a number of years homeless in Paris, the city where he wrote his first song called Cornerstone and where he got popular in the music scene. Its performance with the song on the BBC television show Later With Jools Holland in 2013 was amazing, or even more than that, and made me decide to buy tickets for his show. 

After waiting for a few minutes he appeared in a long coat, without buttons, which he uneasily hold during the entire show. I was wondering if he was maybe hiding a glamorous outfit underneath, but the question remained unanswered. 

The stage was occupied by a black piano, a microphone and one spot on Clementine, no more was needed. The spotlight, which couldn’t reach his eyes, made him look like a ghostly shadow and highlighted his characteristic cheekbones. His appearance makes him one of a kind (little ears, big head with tall hair, tight body and great piano hands), just like his performance: his pervasive voice which goes from opera high to very bass low gave me goose bumps many times. He has a great timing and both fast and slow melodies easily overflow each other. In some songs these characteristics came perfectly together.

The powerful and loud singing voice contrasts the soft and staccato tone when he speaks, which I noticed when he tried to have contact with us (the audience). And although he shows his sense of British humor, he is not into pleasing his public and therefore not afraid to point out that he ‘hate[s] it when people are whispering’ during his performance.

To sum: the concert is something to be repeated, definitely. His piano-playing may not all the time be at its best and neither does his vocalism, but that’s not what it’s about. When you visit one of Benjamin Clementine’s concerts you get an experience of personal emotion and play, his rough way of singing and playing is pure, raw and honest. I’m a fan.