REVIEW | RAG 'N BONE MAN
Spark Arena was left echoing with the powerful bass-baritone vocals of Rory Graham, better known by his stage name Rag ‘n Bone Man, when he hit Auckland last night for the final leg of his tour in New Zealand.
His single “Human” went gold and reached number one on the charts in several countries, leading to him being named British Breakthrough Act and received the Critics Choice award at the 2017 Brit Awards. Supported by a full band, including amazing guitar and trombone players, Graham’s soulful, bluesy style was unforgettable live.
There was a very wide cross-section of people that made up his fans, however, I must say I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many men with impressive beards in the same place. I wondered if this was because of a general fashion trend or whether Graham’s personal style had influenced them. Another interesting observation was that, barring his performance of “Human”, there weren’t as many phones held up and recording the concert as per usual. I am used to a literal sea of phones going up, but I think with a voice as beautiful as Graham’s you are compelled to just watch and drink it in with awe. I had goosebumps for most of the concert listening to his performance.
He opened with the dramatic and sinister song “Wolves”, and showcased both songs from before his album “Human” as well as new material about his son Rueben that audiences had not heard before. In between, he revealed an easy-going, self-deprecating personality contrary to some of the darkness that you can hear on his album (“I hope you like miserable songs, because I’ve got a lot of them!). It was really enlightening to hear him explain what some of his songs were actually about. I figured “Lay My Body Down” was about death or murder, but I was surprised to hear that his song “Your way or the Rope” isn’t about anything serious as I had always assumed – merely his ex girlfriend always being late. One song in particular on his album, the sweet love song “As You Are”, is clearly hopeful and I was happy that he performed it because it is one of my favourites.
Graham’s stunning voice is the kind that reverberates through your soul and leaves an unforgettable impression. At times, his band stepped offstage and just let his voice speak for itself, which is when you truly realised its depth. I want to say he is talented, but I don’t think that word is enough. Awesome, entertaining and memorable, a Rag ‘n Bone Man concert is something I could never get tired of seeing.
