With tats, soul and passion
Rag’n’Bone Man and Teeks, Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, April 3.
If you haven’t heard of singer Rag’n’Bone Man yet, you will soon.
Singer-songwriter Rory Graham, known as Rag’n’Bone Man, performs in New Zealand for the first time this week, and gave Tuesday night’s Christchurch crowd a taste of what the talented singer has to offer.
Showcasing his latest album Human (2017), which has earned him international status as an upand-coming artist to watch, the first stop on his New Zealand tour was a powerful performance and a hit with the gathered throng.
A set very much like a stewing pot of different genres – blues, pop, hip-hop and soul – Rag’n’Bone Man showcased the limitlessness of the deep bass-baritone voice he’s deservedly earned his fame for.
Covered in tattoos and sporting a hearty beard, the UK singer made his way around the stage, accompanied by his excellent seven-man band, pouring passion into every tune.
‘‘Yeah, I’m the fat man who can’t dance,’’ he told his glowing Christchurch audience on wrapping up his one-hour set at Horncastle Arena.
Many of the crowd were there for the radio hits, singing along to hits off Human, of course, including the title track.
Other hits such as Skin and Odetta, were so popular the middle-aged, white women present were dancing and singing in the aisles.
Human hits dominated the set so those expecting songs off his first two EPs Bluestown (2012) and Dog ‘n’ Bone (2014) were disappointed.
His 2014 EP Wolves, which gained the attention of Colombia Records in 2015, was explored, and hits Rain, No Mother and the finishing song Hell Yeah reminded audiences of the range of his abilities – from rap to big band, blues and jazz. – Monique Steele
"Yeah, I'm the fat man who can't dance."
Rag'n'Bone Man