Sometimes the best nights out are the ones you haven’t planned.
When additional tickets for Jack Savoretti’s Belfast concert were released on Monday afternoon, it was an opportunity too good to miss.
And what an unexpected way to start the week.
Performing at the Ulster Hall as part of his We Will Always Be The Way We Were tour, the British-Italian singer-songwriter delivered an evening of beautiful music, romantic storytelling and a wonderfully lively Monday night atmosphere.
Even Jack seemed impressed by the enthusiasm of the Belfast audience, commenting on the atmosphere during the performance.
While Savoretti’s distinctive, wonderfully raspy voice lends itself perfectly to emotional ballads and romantic songs, the evening was far from a sit-down affair.
During several of the more upbeat numbers, he encouraged the audience to their feet, transforming the historic concert hall into something of a Monday night celebration.
And what a spectacular setting.
The magnificent Mulholland Grand Organ provided a dramatic backdrop to the performance, illuminated in red above the stage.
It’s one of the architectural treasures of the Ulster Hall, and on Monday evening it looked particularly impressive.
Throughout the concert, Savoretti shared stories about his music and the inspiration behind his songwriting.
One particularly lovely moment came when he explained that he had decided to write the most romantic song he possibly could, simply because he couldn’t think of any existing romantic songs that were quite good enough.
There was also an interesting observation about his latest album.
We Will Always Be The Way We Were opens with the words:
“Trust in me the way you trust in God.”
And the album closes with a request for one more chance.
It’s an intriguing way to frame a collection of songs exploring love, relationships and the experiences that shape our lives.
Those moments of conversation added another dimension to the performance, allowing the audience to discover a little more about the stories behind the music.
Almost twenty years into his recording career, Savoretti remains a captivating performer, combining a distinctive voice with an obvious affection for songwriting and live music.
An unexpected ticket, a magnificent venue and a thoroughly enjoyable evening of live music.
Sometimes spontaneity really does deliver the best nights out.
BELFAST | ALWAYS
