Laura Mvula Gives an Intimate Performance

Thursday 1st May - Big Top

Following up her successful show at the Jazz Arena last year, Laura Mvula returned to Cheltenham Jazz Festival this year with a bigger stage, bigger voice and (if possible) a bigger heart than before.

Selling out a 1300-seater venue is one thing, but being able to give a powerful yet delicate performance that makes each listener feel like they are having a private concert in the comfort of their own home is another.

For the vast majority of the performance, the audience remained pin-droppingly silent until ‘Green Garden’ pivoted things around to a more energetic groove, with her open invitation to the audience to dance, clap their hands and join her on stage if they wanted (“I’m not joking” she assured them) was met with around 20 energised participants getting up on stage with her band and dancing, clapping their hands and not believing their luck!

The stage was quite bare compared to Jamie’s big band ensemble playing the same venue yesterday, with her accompaniment of strings, harp and drum melting into a beautiful wash of sound, which often hinted at a fairy tale world that she might be singing about, particularly in ‘Like the Morning Dew’ and ‘Can’t Live With the World’.

With her knee-length vintage floral dress, a long black wig and high heels, Laura’s appearance demanded the attention of the audience, and her music had them captivated from start to finish; the exposed vocals leading up to the first chorus of ‘Sing to the Moon’ were delicate and poised, certainly bringing goose bumps all over.

Laura talked comfortably to the audience, her audience, as if they were far fewer in number, introducing her songs with comments about the things that she missed on tour in America: “grey clouds, cool air and warm faces”, and how she appreciated an audience that really listens and doesn’t just sit there drunk shouting out “Play Green Garden!”

Her set showcased her vocal abilities, as well as what can be done with a simple string accompaniment, which was both emotive and mesmerizing in places. Her gentle piano playing and soft vocal delivery in ‘Diamonds’ still filled the arena to the back, whilst the shuffle beat in ‘She’ had a real swing to it which contrasted with the overall stripped back sound. One thing is for certain; she will surely be welcomed back to Cheltenham with wide open arms!