Paolo Nutini

It was family night tonight at the Enmore Theatre. The vintage walls played host to baby boomer mothers with their twenty-something daughters. All who had come to experience the sexy soulfulness that one twenty-two-yearold Scottish-Italian lad promised to offer. Even fathers brought along their woe-eyed daughters, with maybe even a little bit of a man-crush themselves. Yes, it is rare that someone so young can attract such a broad aged fan base, but here he is…Paolo Nutini in all his glory at the Enmore Theatre for this first time.

Supporting tonight were the one man Irish band – Joe Echo and the much-hyped Melbourne based Whitley. Joe Echo had barely more than a guitar and looper on stage, but created a layered mix of experimental pop that aptly supported his empowering intonation. His simplistic approach to entertaining the spritely Nutini fans was what was required of a support act, evening fuelling the crowd’s appetite for what was to follow confirming that "he’s really as good looking as he is in his pictures.'’ Maybe there was a man-crush apparent here as well?

On the day of its release, Whitley was there to promote his newly released album Go Forth Find Mammoth. There was certainly a raw edge to Whitley’s band’s disposition, and their booming energy was well apparent in tracks such as Head, First, Down and More than Life. However, at times their over-confidence shaded their musical abilities and became the focus of what was otherwise a very moderate performance.

Paolo Nutini certainly needed no introduction to the large majority of the female audience. The screams from the crowd perturbed through the theatre like the Beatles were about to enter the room. Surprisingly (and disappointedly) though, no bras or knickers were thrown into the air. So beckons the question - was this young man who came on stage hunched over his microphone crooning "I love you more and more and more'’ over and over again worthy of such idolatry? In a word, yes.

From the moment he graced the stage, you knew that you were in for a treat. A little shy at first (reportedly suffers from stage fright); barely a word was spoken in between several songs. But what he lacked in small talk, he more than made up with his ragged and gripping voice and his highly emotive lyrics.

To a live audience, Nutini’s body encapsulated the souls of yesteryear’s greats. From Al Green and Johnny Cash to Jeff Buckley and Van Morrison, they were all present and added flavour to an already exuberant character. Nutini’s band too was a family mix of melodic guitars, sturdy drums, and the sexiness of brass. As a side note, just what is it about the ‘sexiness’ of the saxophone? Kenny G never got it right, but tonight the instrument sent hormones racing on the dance floor. This, in turn, provided a balanced platform for Nutini to articulate his skill of honing in on the emotional prowess that seems to connect him with his audience.

The crowd engaged and indulged in a little sing-a-long for Last Request, Jenny Don’t Be Hasty, and the ever so haunting Candy, but it was Lead in my Pencil that seemed to have the crowd pulsating with adventure. A mini-mosh had formed for the duration of this feel good song, with a sea of hugs and human connection. Tears were apparent on the cheeks of many, urging L'Oréal to bring out a new waterproof mascara, but also confirming why Nutini’s live performance demands attention. He not only brings out the best of himself, he brings out the best in his audience, culminating a massive explosion of emotions via a brace of big band numbers and fine tuned ballads.

Tonight at the Enmore Theatre, the crowd didn’t come to see just any band, they came to see a performance and thus would not have been disappointed. After the encore, the man that made it happen receives a standing ovation. In response, he applauds the crowd and raises his glass of merlot in appreciation. Cigar anyone?

Photo by Dane Geercke.

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