The majestic aesthetic, ornate architecture and grand interiors of Liverpool’s Empire Theatre make a fitting home for a superstar so it’s only right that it attracts the occasional superstar performance. Tonight is one of those night as Paloma Faith takes centre bespoke-stage to showcase her recently released sixth album, Glorification of Sadness.
Faith has always had a notable eye for fashion, usually geared towards the retro, but dressed all in black with a leather skirt, knee-high boots, a PVC top and paired with unfamiliar dark hair tonight’s look is strikingly different from what we’ve previously come to associate her with. We suppose that’s the point. A side we’ve yet to see from her before, she’s continuing to evolve and remind us what a fascinating artist she is to follow. She is unrecognisable at points. Her voice isn’t though, we’d recognise that vintage mezzo-soprano anywhere.
The evening unfolds in two sets, the first half exclusively dedicated to tracks from this years Glorification of Sadness. It’s a record Faith has described as “pretty personal” which is something that bleeds between songs too as she shares personal anecdotes about being a mum, heading towards the menopause, and that old most complicated of things, relationships. Addressing her divorce and the challenges of co-parenting, she speaks candidly about her fears and vulnerabilities. As she performs emotional ballads like Divorce and empowering anthems like I Am Enough, Faith pairs the power of her voice with the power that comes from owning and sharing the uncomfortable whilst absolutely commanding the protruding stage which fully belongs to her.
Returning for her second set, Faith goes on to treat fans to a selection of beloved tracks from the entirety of her discography, including hits from her debut album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful and the acclaimed A Perfect Contradiction. Having witnessed an intense and contemplative first half the audience respond to these classic pop anthems that everybody knows and loves with a new found perspective on a beloved artist.
We find ourselves in more awe than we’d expected tonight. Of Faith’s musical and personal journey, of the enduring relationship of her devoted fanbase that now spans over 15 years and of the joy that seeing an artist change things up and subvert your expectations can bring.
As the tour continues its journey across the country and continent, Faith’s The Glorification of Sadness Tour promises to be a memorable and ultimately uplifting experience
Photo Gallery by Brian Sayle.
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