Rag’n’Bone Man at the O2 Academy Bristol

November 3, 2021

We sent photographer Adam Davis-Powell and reviewer Chloe Padfield along to Rag’n’Bone Man Bristol. Here’s what went down:

Rag’n’Bone Man – writing name, Rory Graham – released his Nashville-recorded and produced album, Life By Misadventure, earlier this year, and visiting Bristol – is half way through a UK and European tour.

Striding onto a simple stage setup, we see the tattooed smiling giant take centre stage to an audience quite the contrast of the usually sweaty three-storey venue. Instead, tonight we hear squeals of excitement from a still and eagerly awaiting crowd – consisting of ladies on date nights and large men standing proudly, waiting for the inspiring singer to begin. His baritone voice is quick to fill the room – opening with the upbeat and warm All You Ever Wanted which has been compared with Springsteen’s Born To Run, instantly surging warmth up through the roof of the 02 Academy.

The stage is set for an intimate and relaxed evening, where we see the familiar faces of Ben Jackson-Cook on keyboard, bassist Bill Banwell, and backing vocalists Desri Ramus and Sylvia Mwenze, collectively holding impressive track records themselves working with other wildly successful artists like Paulo Nutini and Kelis. Drums are provided by long term friend of Graham – Ben Thomas, with all members on the stage exchanging smiles throughout the evening, clearly enjoying the night on a personal level.

The album itself is a brave move, moving between Motown style ballads but leaving a vintage-meets-modern feel. We learn tonight – by experiencing it live, that the quality of this new album is in its restraint – not relying heavily on loud bellowing choruses, and instead proving his style and range as an accomplished artist. It’s been over three years since Human, and tonight we feel him come to the stage part-way through a tour that marks a renewed sense of purpose for him as a now international musician – and with it a strong new direction towards classic pop-synth combined with American country-esc.

To understand the contrast of his visual appearance versus range and style of music we must delve into his past. Originally from Uckfield, South East England – he spent his early years in the Brighton rap crew, Rum Committee. In 2012, he released Bluestown EP, becoming renowned locally and working with several semi-established musicians such as Vince Staples, Skunk Anansie, and Kae Tempest – spanning Poetry to Drum‘n’Bass and hip hop. Later his vocal singing career received the major boost needed to launch him globally after he signed with Columbia Records in 2016, later going platinum in the UK and USA with Human. Graham has stated previously ‘I don’t see all the attention as pressure. I’m just a normal guy who loves to sing. I’m just happy that people now want to listen to me.’ His soft and gentle chat between songs tonight, echoes this humble demeanour, and enables him to connect with the crowd on a more personal level.

The set takes us through a journey of passionate loss, intertwined with smooth pop, rock and blues – with sound quality reminiscent of a Motown gig, but atmosphere nostalgic like a downtown Jazz Club. We end the night with Giant. The award-winning song was performed with ever more confidence – and a crowd perfectly echoing back word for word, leaving lasting smiles out into the city on a warm Autumn evening.