Event Review: ILUVLIVE 10th October 2011

Back at XOYO for another helping of ILUVLIVE, the house is aptly filled for a night of entertainment from Bex, KOF, Molly, Dele, Lioness and headliner Donaeo who is celebrating his single launch. DJ Amzee in the wings, host Ras Kwame gets the show underway...

3ree-D; open mic winner at the previous ILUVLIVE, gets straight into his set. Interacting well with the audience in between tracks, he shows personality as well as talent. The atmosphere has been created for the night.

Mood reading as mellow and receptive, it's perfect for Bex who kicks off with 'Don't Mean A Thing’ that’s boasting a strong carnival feel and encourages euphoria. While a larger stage presence was heavily craved during her performance, the quality of her music shows she has great potential as an artist.

As Lioness steps on stage, a spell is instantly cast upon the audience as she drops 'Bomb', bringing all to a stand still, strictly focused on the stage. Later joined by songstress A.L. for 'All You Need', the duo overpower the venue with their vibe. Heads bop in unison, some not frightened to bubble away like they're in their own living rooms. Lioness finishes up with 'Mona Lisa' exiting the stage to a well-deserved rapture of applause.

Molly follows up, opening her set with an acoustic number 'It's You' which is received well by the audience. Slowing down the tempo with 'Pray for You' bringing it back up for 'Shadows' completing an entire set of sheer class.

After a short interval Dele takes his place and it's immediately his vocals serenade the entire female capacity within the venue as he treats ILUVLIVE to a couple of covers prior to getting into a some of his own tracks. His last number 'F U Right' created a strong level of steam in the air. Dele has turned ILUVLIVE into Seduction Central!

Continuing the slow tempo, KOF starts his set with 'Looking At Me', gracing the audience with his smooth tones. Keeping the audience entwined within his groove for the remainder of his time on stage, KOF performs a memorable set that leaves the audience wanting more.

Finally Donaeo takes to the ILUVLIVE stage and kicks off his set with 'Check My Swagger Out' immediately getting the audience rocking. Shaking them up a little more with 'I'm Fly', the audience are skanking hard and practicing their funky moves. Giving everyone a chance to cool down 'Love Is The Word' reminds the audience of the treat that is Donaeo's soulful vocals, often overshadowed by up tempo beats. Joined on stage by Terri Walker, the audience are shown exactly what it sounds like 'When Angels Sing'. Taking it back to the anthem ‘Party Hard’ Donaeo closes the show making way for the open mic session to decide who will be opening the show when ILUVLIVE returns on on 24th October.

Get your £5 online ticket for the next ILUVLIVE here!!

New Video: When Angels Sing

Donaeo ft Terri Walker

Released 10th October 2011

Event Review: ILUVLIVE 30th May 2011

Rounding up the bank holiday weekend with a live showcase, where better place to be than Cargo for ILUVLIVE? Boasting a line up of impressive performances on the bill including BRIT School student Sasha, who is also signed to Tinie Tempah's Disturbing LDN, brother of top chart-selling producer/artist Labrinth; Mac1, MashTown's Margs and songstress Terri Walker. I'm hoping I'll have the energy to enjoy the entertainment tonight to its fullest.

Open mic competition winner from the previous event, Chalk starts the show with Gotta Eat followed up by The White Boy Dance. It has a head banging beat and skippy flow, the audience are enjoying it. Telling us there's a video on it's way, it's something I'm sure the heads boppers will be keeping an eye out for.

Getting into the billed acts, ILUVLIVE are treating us to acoustic magic! Karen Be takes over the stage and leads the band into what sounds like a sultry jamming session. Vocals hypnotizing the ear drums piercing into the soul. The depth of the melody is greeted by a rapture of applause and smiley faces. Ending the set with a number titled Sweet Tea, which can only be described as breathtaking soft jazz sounds, I can only wish I was able capture this atmosphere to replay on the next occasion I run a bubble bath. Simply relaxing.....

Injecting hype back into the atmosphere, FDot1 brings energy to the stage with So Grimey but unfortunately struggles to connect with the audience. Changing the vibe the set turns slow and sensual for his last number 'She's So' and not only does a camera or two appear, an enormous applause is received. FDot1 admirably turned it around!

Disturbing LDN's Sacha is next to grace the stage and first up is Lost In You with her guitarist alongside. Displaying very strong vocals the audience are immediately eating out the palm of her hands! Showing her further capabilities of range and tempo within her following numbers, the young lady leaves the stage to an enormous applause. It is amazing such talent is only 17!

Following a short interlude with entertainment supplied by Rinse FM's DJ JJ, Mac1 takes his turn to showcase his helping of family musical talent, which he definitely does via rapping and singing. Rock On his first number holds an electrical vibe which is amplified further by Get It On and the audience can be seen rocking away to the beat. Bringing brother Josh on stage to join him for Superman, Mac1 is generating a vibe on the stage that can be felt filtering out throughout the venue.

Working through the genres, it's time to get raw and gritty. Bringing it into a rap vibe, Margs takes us for a walk down his street where he informs us that he's the 'Love of Her Life' and it's definitely 'So Good'. The audience are tuned in and listening which is clearly depicted as Margs leaves the stage.

Rounding up the entertainment for the night, Terri Walker steps up greeted by a cheer. The audience are immediately dancing along as Terri Walker performs her first number 'Drawing Board' and can be heard singing along with her second number 'Guess You Didn't Love Me'. If not already an avid follower of Terri Walker, the common question amongst those at this moment is probably how the radar missed this gem? Guys and girls swaying in unison as Terri Walker wraps up her set with 'So Hard' enforcing the reoccurring question to loom; how British talent like this gets lost to management/labels across seas? Terri Walker wraps up the show in admirable fashion. It's so great to have her back!

ILUVLIVE returns to Cargo on 13th June… Make sure you’re there!

Photography: Adeyinka Adepitan

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