Live Review: Jack Savoretti

A very random crowd assembles inside the venue like some kind of family gathering, and boy are they guarding their turf a full 20 minutes before showtime! Perhaps this is what happens when artists are discovered through TV syncs? Once on stage, Jack Savoretti plays a bit of flamenco-tinged guitar and it's immediately apparent that your best hope of seeing anything at all is through someone else's raised smartphone. Savoretti kicks off Written In Scars — just him and his guitar — and he's easy on the eye, husky on the ear (we're talking Barnsey gritty when he really pushes the volume in his voice). After admitting he's surprised by the crowd's lyrical knowledge, Savoretti acknowledges a dude down the front who even sings along with guitar parts.

The enamoured audience laughs it up during Savoretti's lively banter, which breaks up the earnest feel of most of his material. He swears heaps, and interrupts his own call: "What happens Down Under, stays — oh, no…" as he suddenly realises just how dodgy this sounds. A bloke behind us is overheard addressing his missus as she gives Savoretti goo-goo eyes: "You're in love, aren't you? I better put on a curly wig."

There's scattered, delighted "Ooh"s throughout as Savoretti introduces the personal faves of individual punters. His Bob Dylan cover, Nobody 'Cept You, which Savoretti explains helped him get through some tough times, is delivered with reverence. He introduces Tie Me Down by saying many Italian journalists ask him whether this song was inspired by Fifty Shades Of Grey. He earlier admitted that he hasn't slept for three days due to jetlag but, damn! Savoretti could use some Strepsils.        

A pianist joins him on stage to perform Catapult, which you've definitely heard on TV. It's delicate, heartfelt and prompts loved up couples to kiss. Someone yells out for Not Worthy, which assists Savoretti (he says he went blank at that very moment) and he performs this request. He smiles at and holds confident eye contact with many individuals around the room while he plays. He's obviously chuffed that so many of his songs are well known in this country, which is endearing. A perfect candidate for a seated theatre tour next time he visits.