Live Review: Kina Grannis, Patrick James - The Tivoli

There’s an easy likability to Patrick James. Relaxed on stage, he performs his folk songs confidently and with a strong sense of humour.

Grinning, he admonishes the crowd when they clap out of time and makes them start again. He then not only informs us of the usual ‘tour occurring later in the year’ and ‘EP for sale’, but that his manager is single and looking for love. His songs are mature and well-constructed, with sweeping choruses and hooky melodic lines. James’ real boon though is his voice, older than his years, deep and full. Moments where he lets the final line ring out without the guitar are simply enchanting.

Before James plays his final song and new single, Message, he encourages us to watch the video and has worked out he has 0.1 per cent the amount of subscribers that Kina Grannis has on YouTube. That such a figure should be relevant speaks volumes about the nature of Grannis’ success. It’s through her savvy use of viral videos that she initially gained traction; her engaging personality and brand of sincere indie-pop a perfect combination to garner Internet fame. It translates well onstage too, and though it takes a few songs to warm up her banter, her voice is pitch-perfect from first note to last.

Known initially for cute folky tunes, her latest album shows a growing musical style and strong writing. It’s brought to life well by a band in tow – including triggered backing vocals that were such a highlight of the record.

She plays the upbeat openers from new album, Elements with a big smile on her face – Dear River, The Fire and Oh Father. Ballad, Winter makes an appearance and there’s a touching moment of vulnerability as she tearfully introduces Forever Blue, a musing on death and family. Little Worrier is a reminder for herself to let go of anxiety, hilariously prefaced with a recounting of her experience at a solo writing retreat in a cabin, terrifying herself with fears of a murderer that ended up being a mouse.

She takes to the stage alone for older track, Valentine, which gets the crowd singing along, My Own, another ode to family, and a sweet duet with her guitarist, I Knew This Would Be Love.

It’s in her encore, however, that we get the true Kina Grannis magic. Unplugging her guitar and singing away from the microphone, she performs Message From Your Heart, her first song uploaded online, which won her a competition and began her following. The crowd is instructed in their role, singing “bom bom bom” in the manner of a heartbeat. The effect is beautiful, and it’s the perfect embodiment of her songwriting and her absolute sincerity and charm.