Gig Review - Lemar
Thursday 2nd April 2009 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
With Support From: JLS, Effie, The Score
When I realised I was covering Lemar at the partway through, soon to be right smart, Colston Hall, who in turn was being supported by, brace yourself, JLS and a couple of other acts aimed at the teen market, I was thinking; “Oh my god, it’s Briton’s strictly got the pop factor bla bla bla!” and in a way it was a bit like watching one of those shows, just without the good-cop bad-cop formula judges.
But (with a huge ‘B’) whatever you might think, Lemar is a true star; his gravelly voice and vocal range is second to none, swinging between breathtaking high and low notes throughout. He has a talent, is worthy of his ecstatic fan base and performed for them a really good set, treating everyone to his well-known hits like 50 50 and the “If there’s any justice…” one but also a few new tunes/soon to be hits from his new album The Reason. We even got a few outstanding covers, in particular, Sex On Fire by Kings Of Leon, which he excelled at.
His performance was professional, relaxed and he gave all the screaming girls what they had come to see; talking to the audience, baring some flesh, audience participation – an all round entertaining show. Lemar’s band were amazing too; an outstanding drummer (with more symbols than a 80’s metal band), guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion and three backing singers, all performing world class musicianship. My only criticism would be the backing singers sang too much as Lemar’s voice sounds best alone.
Before Lemar had done his stuff though, we had not less than three support acts: A decent enough young female singer by the name of Effie, an LA based RnB boy band called The Score who have obviously read all the books on being pop-stars and then the pop-super-stars…hmmmm…JLS.
Shed loads of excited girls were there to see them, screaming so loud, it made a Motorhead gig sound quiet – believe me the hysteria was loud! They came on to a cover, clicking their fingers, moving smoothly to the beat and then singing some more covers all to backing tracks. Then more cover songs, so many in fact I’m thinking the backing track was a karaoke CD. One song, which they claimed was theirs, had all the hallmarks of a Louis Walsh boy band; I can see him in the studio now (cue your best Irish accent) “Wat ya boys need to make ya stand out is a ballad! With a key change two turds of the way true!”.
Another nice touch was that they were all dressed strikingly, a different colour for each member, a bit like the Teletubbies…but unlike the Teletubbies. Mr Red in JLS has a fine set of moobies.
Overall, it was an entertaining evening with a lot of talent. Even JLS were entertaining but I think they need to escape the shadow of the boy band factory if they want to still be around after puberty. Listen out for Lemar though as he stands out head and shoulders above all the other Briton’s got the pop factor, soap star, super star, strictly on ice contestants…apart from Todd of course.
Matt Collins
www.crushimages.co.uk
Copyright © 2008
April 6th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I must admit I think you may be right about JLS. I very much enjoyed their performance actually but yes, cheese all the way. The covers I feel were the best part as their ‘own’ song was pretty poor. One of them is still singing slightly out of tune at times (just as he did on the x factor!) but overall they did a good performance and worked the crowd up a treat for the true star, Lemar! Who indeed is in a league of his own!
April 6th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I do think you’re being rude towards JLS.
Okay, you don’t like them- but remarks like their phisique’s aren’t neccessary.
It’s not their fault they had to do covers, they can’t write 5 songs from nowhere can they.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I have been to this tour a couple of times, and appreciate everyone is entitled to their opinion. Lemar, i totally agree he has an amazing voice which until now i have never fully apprecaited.
JLS, now they may not be your cup of tea mate, but they are loved by thousands of fans ranging from kids right up to the older generation. Their colours are their trademark… but their voices are what got them their 2nd place in x factor. The boys are hugely talented, have worked incredibly hard to be where they are now and deserve all the goodness they receive.
As for personally attacking Oritse, that is out of order… like i say the band may not be your cup of tea but there is no reason for attacking someone in a personal manner. There is nothing wrong with my man and will agree with the fans who have posted defending him, he has a stunning body that i and a lot of his fans are more than happy to be faced with. The man is stunning and to be blunt, i dont think pleasing you with his body is his biggest aim in life!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Sorry but dont be so horrible towards JLS because they are amazing !!!!
This should be removed as it is very offensive!
And i see that you havent put up any of the comments where people arent
agreeing with your veiws!
This is soo shalow and im sure Lemar would not be happy either!!
xx
JLS= Best Boyband to walk the earth
ps NEVER badmouth JLS ever again cause they are amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if you are a critic im sure that you are not authorised to talk about someone appearence or weight!
BTW Oritse is not fat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JENNY LOVES AND SUPPORTS JLS 100% ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xx
April 7th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I agree that Lemar was very good but the crowd adore JLS and even if you do not appricate the hard work they put in, many others do!!
JLS are loved as the are unique, have style, are amazing singers and very passionate (especially the one who you were calling fat).
JLS have a massive fan base and you can check it out over at jlsofficial.co.uk!
The fan are of all ages!!
JLS’s colour are what make them unique and they dont need a stupid little critic like you slaging them off!
You are only jealous cause you know they will be 1000000000000000 times more famous than you will ever be!!!!
On the matter of you personally discriminating against Oritse, i think that ot is obsene and i think you should be sacked as it it totaly unnecessary to pick on someone because of thier weight!
FYI Oritse is stunning and not fat in anyway!
I am looking forward to meeting JLS next week and i hope they do not find out about this!!
If they do they will be soo hurt and you will ahev lots of angry fans emails and comments to deal with!!!
JLS ALWAYS
Jenny
x
April 8th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Erm excuse me but i dnt agree with wot u have wrote atall . how dare yu come on here + just slag jls of like tht . yeh yu av made yur point lemar was veryy good + u dnt like JLS . but 2 me you have gon way to farr , by callin someone fat , + mentiontin the ‘telitubies’ pahhah u really do make me laugh . JLS arre workin realy hard + arh amazing talanted people who arrh duin reaally well . Keep yur opinons like that 2 yur self !!
JLS FAN ALL THE WAY . JLS 4 LIFE !! . x x
April 8th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
i cant believe theyve even published this :O
its an outrage i mean i know not everyone likes JLS but to get personal and say something about someones physique is just unaccpeptabe !
badmouthing oritse when you know JLS have thousands of fans all over the country is gonna get you no where i love oritse and i love the the other lads !
as most people who have commented so far would strongly agree with my points
JLS for Life ! (whatever these stupid critics say )
April 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
im not being funny …..
but you dont even no JLS so how can you write all this about them and just judge them. and you cant just single Oritse out!!
and FYI Oritse is gorgeous!!!!!!!!
and the girls at the brighton centre on the 28th march went MAD for JLS!!!!!!!!!!!,
everyone adores them. so shut your mouth and stop discriminating people :@!
April 9th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Chill out girlies!!! He only said moooobies! wooooooopy do
April 10th, 2009 at 12:18 am
What do you mea chill out girlies !
at least we are pationate and sticking up for our boys !
xx
April 14th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I mean he didnt really slag them off! A light poke of fun thats all!
April 14th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Anyway……..who cares in a year their cd will be in a bargain bin!!! Rubbish!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I actually thought JLS should have won this year’s X factor and with a better mentor they would have done! Not to my personal taste at all, but I can see how they appeal to their audience!
Faye
(Firmly on the fence!)
April 15th, 2009 at 2:08 am
# chris Says:
April 14th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Anyway……..who cares in a year their cd will be in a bargain bin!!! Rubbish!!!!
Why are you guys all so mean ! I think it is just jealousy! This time next year JLS will rule the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
oh my days i get that everyone has their own opinion but seriously u dont have to be so mean JLS are awesome and they’re all over 21!!
STOP JUDGIN PEOPLE U DONT KNOW
nd i swear i am gonna defend them to the grave!!
oh yh and “mr red”, u dont even know so why judge him by his looks!!
i might sound like just “another angry fan” but what u said was just plain rude and u know its the truth!!
April 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
btw u should be fired!!
May 8th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
I Went To The Lemar Tour And JLS Were Amazing!
They Are Truly Brilliant! They Are Awesome Singers, Are Proper Fitt And Entertain Really Well.
There Colour Scheme Thing Just Makes Them More Unique!
The Amount Of Screaming Girls And The Tour Must Prove To You That They Are Soo Good.
Tbh. Lemar Was Amazing Too But It Was JLS That Got Me Screaming!
May 8th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
And ‘Chris’ Your Just Jealous Your Not As Talented & Gorgeous As JLS
There New Single Is Amazing!
July 7th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
A few of the images were not showing correctly but, the web site still looks good. I have been visiting this site for a couple of weeks now and i’m very impressed with the content. What is the rss address?
July 12th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
This show was absolutely amazing!! Can’t wait to see JLS next week with The Score! They are all sooo cute!