For any artist, performing in front of your fans can be nerve-wracking, but imagine performing in front of Jesus himself. Okay, maybe not Jesus in person but as a statue. Yep, this gig was in a church. Not your typical venue. Candle lit, no speakers, the audience sitting in the stalls…it could have been a wedding. A very dark wedding.
Earlier this week I saw Archie Faulks perform his sold out headline show at the beautiful St Pancras Church in London. He is a singer who I find very mysterious. Hidden behind his scruffy (but cool) hair, a smooth voice belted out, with a vocal range higher than the church ceilings. I’m surprised that his astonishing voice didn’t blow out the candles. He held onto his guitar like he never wanted to let go and his passion shone through the whole church. Ironically, a bright light radiated over him as he performed and I felt myself falling deep into his words as if I was floating on a cloud. With it being an acoustic session, it allowed you to drift off and really feel the music. Archie Faulks has made me realise I have a soft spot for an acoustic set, a little change from the mosh pits I’m usually trying to climb out of.
St Pancras old Church was the perfect place for Archie to perform his new love ballad, ‘Blackout.’ The single follows Archie’s debut ‘It Rains’ which received support from Radio 1 and Radio X. This also led him to sell out his first ever London headline show at Servants Jazz Quarters. ‘Blackout’ live was something to get your emotions rolling. “When I blackout I’m with you.” – when these exact lyrics were sung, I saw a man kiss his partner on the cheek and pull her in close. Archie’s music has so much power.
Archie Faulks, a London-based singer-songwriter who has already taken America by storm. His warm voice may well be on its way to steal America’s heart, but it will definitely steal yours first.