At Leeds Beckett Student Union, four-time platinum album artist Rag’n’Bone Man performed his latest album, ‘What Do You Believe in?’ for an audience of dedicated fans.
Among the audience, many first-time young concert-goers also enjoyed meeting Rory Graham (Rag’n’Bone Man) before the set. When on stage, he said: “I feel honoured that it’s your first gig to come see me” and proceeded to dedicate a song called ‘Iron’ to his young fans.
Olivia Haslam (11) and Nancy Harrison (11), told how they got to stand on the raised steps at the back of the venue for a better view. Nancy Harrison said that she loved her first live concert experience, and it was incredible to “get to see the actual person that sings it.”
The new album was performed as an acoustic set, and the audience stood in appreciative silence as they listened to his strong vocals that dominated the room. Rory Graham engaged in plenty of banter with the intimate crowd, joking about wearing a hoody on stage, and it is far too hot under the intensity of stage lighting.
Many concert-goers were celebrating important life milestones. Abby Vanloon took her son, Harrison Vanloon (11), to see the Rag’n’Bone Man as a present for settling in well at secondary school. They saw him last year at the Piece Hall, and this time, they ensured he signed his shirt in the meet-and-greet.
During the set, Rory Graham played his new song ‘Hope you felt loved at the end’ for the first time in front of this crowd. Mixing his classic hits with some of his favourite songs from his latest album, Rory Graham ended the set with ‘Human’, contributing to Rag’n’Bone Man winning the ‘British Breakthrough Act’ at the Brits in 2018.
This event was an amazing experience of Rag’n’Bone Man’s raw vocal talent, displayed in an intimate venue. He is set to play at the O2 Academy Leeds later this month with an extended setlist.