For a guy seated at a piano, he’s a suprisingly raucous live turn, too. At just 22, he conducts himself like a veteran, and his tunes are lapped up by a sell-out audience, overwhelmingly comprised of screaming young women and smooching couples. His rock ‘n’ roll attitude notwithstanding, Odell is good at creating a sense of intimacy. As he reaches for the high notes, it feels like he’s singing to each and every person in the crowd individually. Given that he goes about his business with such evident honesty and good grace, you have to wonder why he’s been the target of so much hatred, notably the zero-star review in a UK magazine that prompted Odell’s dad to ring up and complain.
Highlights tonight include ‘Another Love’, a gorgeous ballad that quietens the boisterous crowd, and haunting renditions of ‘Can’t Pretend’ and ‘See If I Care’. He promises to return with a rotating piano inspired by his uptown friend Billy Joel who performed behind just such a device at The O2 the night before. We await with interest!