This intimate gig was arguably one of the most important ones of my life as of yet. Kimbra's album 'Vows' was the first ever album I bought with my parents at the central London HMV (which no longer exists), at the age of eight. I have had every lyric to that album seared into my head for twelve years. Kimbra was who I wanted to be, taught me how to feel, and how to express what it is I feel. And, her new singles prior to A Recknonings release had been my favourite since the 2011 album.
She walks on stage like she owns it, and not even five seconds in and her stage presence commands the audience because she DOES own it. From her fierce stage outfits to her fiery stare, Kimbra knows exactly how she wants to come off as an artist and a person.
One thing that was very unique to Kimbra was that its fair to say she spent a good percentage of time talking to the crowd. Talking about the new album, old songs, where it all comes from, her personal journey, etc. And, for me, it hit very deep. It was like I was at the right place at the right time, needing to hear every single word she was saying. But it was nice to feel the importance of every song to the artist themselves.
Kimbra has always been a singer I viewed as a literal creative genius. Her vocals have always been unbeatable in my eyes (I know, I'm bias). And it's safe to say I feel I was truly blessed by the heavens above of which I do not even believe in as those vocals were shared with us that night. They are as beautiful, if not more so, in person. The talent this goddess has is truly unique and impeccable.
I think one thing that was definitely a bit of a disappointment for everyone there was the lack of old songs or rather the lack of Vows tracks on the set list. Two were due, and one was sang, and it wasn't performed in the way it is on the album. I know for a fact so many people there were hoping to hear these songs, me being one of them. As insane as her new album is, when you have history with a musician you desperately want them to sing what connected you to them in the first place. But, it has been twelve years since the album, I can only imagine how tiring singing the same songs for that long can get. Nonetheless, I do think that a tribute to those old albums in the original style would have been a beautiful way to tie things up.
Overall, Kimbra was insane live, and eight year old me is absolutely on a high. I saw a woman I looked up to for over a decade and heard her say words and sing songs that hit me so very very deep. I will never take this night for granted, nor the insanely beautiful musician that Kimbra is.
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