Even for someone with a voice as impressive as Joss Stone, the vastness of the RDS has tonight proved to be a step too far.
By the time she takes to the stage, the venue is struggling to achieve half its capacity. Even an extraordinary deluge of free tickets has failed to rectify the problem, instead putting paid to any atmosphere Stone’s genuine fans may have worked up.
Yet despite this miscalculation of her Irish fan base, Stone’s star is very much in the global ascendant.
Still only 17, a move to stadia seems likely over the coming years. If that’s to be the case, then the young starlet has much to learn. Faultless renditions of hits such as ‘You Had Me’ may cement her unquestionable talents as a singer. Yet as a live performer, Stone is largely unimpressive.
For someone with such an immense voice, she remains totally devoid of stage presence. Uncomfortable with simply letting her vocals and personality come to the fore, the need to be a pop star often proves a distraction.
Pre-rehearsed stage techniques, and a penchant for calling for all “hands up in the air” only serve to dilute the warm soulfulness of her recorded material, and often the result makes for something akin to a bad British funk concert.
When she does take a more subtle approach, she’s sublime. ‘Fell In Love With A Boy’ draws on a relaxed sexiness, while ‘Spoiled’ packs an emotional soulful punch with its simple delivery. Ultimately however, this is a missed opportunity. Missed because if ever there was a show that would have benefited from a downgrade, then this was it. Joss Stone in the Olympia would have doubtlessly proved a far more satisfying experience than Joss Stone in the RDS. If the teenager is still learning her craft, then the lesson here is that less is often more.
Pic: Naomi McArdle