Lana Del Rey @ Manchester Ruby Lounge
Entering the Ruby Lounge, there's no ignoring the enormous white balloon to the right of the stage, which in the Ruby Lounge is about as flash as you'd think a set can get. The stage here is so small that the drum kit is practically at the front and there's barely 200 people able to huddle in. All in all, (despite the 7-foot tall 'Die Hard' bad guy at the back getting annoyed with people pushing in front) everyone is brimming with anticipation for what we expect to be the debut of something truly special, especially since it's in such a surprisingly small venue. Some are here just to pout along to Video Games, most are here in the belief that being at Lana Del Rey's debut UK show in the confines of the Ruby Lounge will be something to brag about in the near future. All however, are about to realise what a genuinely brilliant artist we're witnessing the rise of.
Just as Lana is about to enter the stage, it turns out that the over-sized balloon is more than a quirky prop; As the lights go completely down, a projector hits the balloon and suddenly it's a warping orb of vintage Hollywood movies; a feature famous from Lana's homemade music videos. Such a simple effect is put to use perfectly tonight and gives the show a larger sense of that grandness we are starting to expect from Lana in the near future.
Blue Jeans comes early (the other one that we know), fully loaded with Southern attitude stitched up seamlessly by the ghoulish, albeit beautiful chorus which has already failed to escape Kate Bush comparisons.
Lana is, to an extent reminiscent of Giant Drag's Annie Hardy. Cute and sweet but peppered with just the right amount of sassy crassness. Half way through the set, she's asking the sound guy for more reverb, "Can I have more reverb? More please, I can take more". This goes on for a little while and leaves the teenagers smirking and the older gents wolf whistling and getting just a little over excited. Straight away it's a scene from 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and we are quickly realising that there's as much Jessica Rabbit here as there is Minnie Mouse.
With less than a handful of 'known' songs to play, it's exciting to hear more material for the first time, and it's mostly stunning. Million Dollar Man is undoubtedly a highlight of the evening. Beginning as a swooning love song, suddenly we're truly taken aback by some gut-punching vocals, and before we know it we're in full submission and Lana has eaten us up.
China Doll is the real sleeper hit here though. It's impossible not to love its classical vocals topped with some of her best lines, ('i think i have found God in the flashbulbs of your pretty cameras')
Taking the millions of YouTube hits and the recent Q Award win into account, there is a genuine modesty with her. There's a lot of friendly flirting with the crowd, however there's a big contrast when she's actually performing; a believable fragility that instantly erases the stigma of being an internet sensation and gives Lana Del Rey validity above that of a one-hit wonder.
Entering the Ruby Lounge, there's no ignoring the enormous white balloon to the right of the stage, which in the Ruby Lounge is about as flash as you'd think a set can get. The stage here is so small that the drum kit is practically at the front and there's barely 200 people able to huddle in. All in all, (despite the 7-foot tall 'Die Hard' bad guy at the back getting annoyed with people pushing in front) everyone is brimming with anticipation for what we expect to be the debut of something truly special, especially since it's in such a surprisingly small venue. Some are here just to pout along to Video Games, most are here in the belief that being at Lana Del Rey's debut UK show in the confines of the Ruby Lounge will be something to brag about in the near future. All however, are about to realise what a genuinely brilliant artist we're witnessing the rise of.
Just as Lana is about to enter the stage, it turns out that the over-sized balloon is more than a quirky prop; As the lights go completely down, a projector hits the balloon and suddenly it's a warping orb of vintage Hollywood movies; a feature famous from Lana's homemade music videos. Such a simple effect is put to use perfectly tonight and gives the show a larger sense of that grandness we are starting to expect from Lana in the near future.
Blue Jeans comes early (the other one that we know), fully loaded with Southern attitude stitched up seamlessly by the ghoulish, albeit beautiful chorus which has already failed to escape Kate Bush comparisons.
Lana is, to an extent reminiscent of Giant Drag's Annie Hardy. Cute and sweet but peppered with just the right amount of sassy crassness. Half way through the set, she's asking the sound guy for more reverb, "Can I have more reverb? More please, I can take more". This goes on for a little while and leaves the teenagers smirking and the older gents wolf whistling and getting just a little over excited. Straight away it's a scene from 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and we are quickly realising that there's as much Jessica Rabbit here as there is Minnie Mouse.
With less than a handful of 'known' songs to play, it's exciting to hear more material for the first time, and it's mostly stunning. Million Dollar Man is undoubtedly a highlight of the evening. Beginning as a swooning love song, suddenly we're truly taken aback by some gut-punching vocals, and before we know it we're in full submission and Lana has eaten us up.
China Doll is the real sleeper hit here though. It's impossible not to love its classical vocals topped with some of her best lines, ('i think i have found God in the flashbulbs of your pretty cameras')
Taking the millions of YouTube hits and the recent Q Award win into account, there is a genuine modesty with her. There's a lot of friendly flirting with the crowd, however there's a big contrast when she's actually performing; a believable fragility that instantly erases the stigma of being an internet sensation and gives Lana Del Rey validity above that of a one-hit wonder.
Difficult to express just how great she really is. I was honoured to be there. My life is now complete.
ReplyDeleteShe was fantastic, it definitely felt like an honour to be there and I'm sure we will never see her in a venue so small again
ReplyDeleteThe gossip girls stunt just made her a one-hit wonder. That greed has just cost her dearly
ReplyDeleteAt this early stage all I can comment on is the one show I've seen her play, which was amazing
ReplyDelete