It’s been more than 40 years since London’s Battersea Park hosted a concert series. Now, in what is hoped to be the start of a new tradition, the southwest space opens its gates to a wealth of home-grown musical talent.
With such scenic surroundings, the vibe is suitably laid back and easygoing for a bank holiday weekend. While guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics and blankets, an assortment of street food is on offer and plentiful facilities are in place. It’s also important to note how green the concert is, with new power points installed throughout the park, especially for the occasion, thus reducing the need for generators. Ultimately, all bases have been covered to create an ideal festival atmosphere, which is topped off by a stellar line-up.
From West End musical numbers courtesy of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and the London Concert Chorus to renditions of classical masterpieces, a carefully curated programme of events ensures an array of tastes are catered for. Proceedings culminate with a day devoted to jazz and soul. Who better to epitomise the former than Ronnie Scott’s All-Stars? The collective is warmly welcomed to the stage and impressively manages to evoke the intimacy of their Soho club home despite playing to such an expansive space and crowd. Whether a fan of jazz or unfamiliar with the genre, the group showcases spectacular skill and offers a well-paced set, much to the delight of spectators.
The always-alluring YolanDa Brown then effortlessly engages with the crowd – and that is before the saxophonist even displays her musical prowess. With precise delivery, one cannot help but become enthralled by the musician, who is backed by a tight, cohesive band. A mixture of reworked classics alongside her own material entertains fans and newcomers alike.
Blankets are hastily picked up and food cleared away as the vast crowd prepares for the arrival of headliner Gabrielle. A heavyweight of UK RnB, the singer exudes genuine excitement to be here. Casually interacting with the crowd, Gabrielle is pleasingly approachable and down to earth. When she sings, however, her star quality shines, and we are reminded of just how gifted a vocalist she is.
It’s easy to forget how many hits the star has had, and she ensures each era is covered. When A Woman is upbeat and infectiously fun. Early hit Give Me A Little More Time is afforded a funky edge and Sunshine is drenched in nostalgia. Take a Minute from 2018’s Under My Skin is one of those songs that feels designed to be performed live. Exhibiting raspy vocals, this is Gabrielle at her most raw and contemplative. Put Up a Fight from the same album carries a soft-rock sound and once again showcases the versatility of the singer.
The set continues with Don’t Need the Sun to Shine (To Make Me Smile), which encourages the enthused crowd to sing along. An already elevated atmosphere is further enriched by Rise. The hit is inevitably well-received – its Bob Dylan sample feeling incredibly evocative when performed live. Out of Reach follows and has the entire crowd moving along as they belt out the lyrics. The set draws to a close with a brief rendition of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, which morphs into Dreams – the hit that put Gabrielle on the map 30 years ago. Gabrielle’s memorable, crowd-pleasing performance conjures nineties nostalgia and serves as a reminder as to why the star has enjoyed such longevity. She is also one of few artists to sound even better live than she does on her studio recordings.
It’s no mean feat to make a space as sizable as Battersea Park feel intimate but that is what this concert series manages to achieve. A lot of hard work and love has been invested here and the result is a relaxed yet jubilant and uplifting experience. Here’s hoping it can become a firm fixture in our calendars.
Battersea Park in Concert ran 26, 27 and 28 August 2023
The Reviews Hub Score
Nineties nostalgia
