Live Report: Tom Odell Triumphs at the Olympia

It is dark when he arrives on stage. No intro music playing. The audience seems to hold the breath as he takes his seat at the piano and starts off with a tune from his upcoming third album. In a way, Tom Odell is still the boy he was five years ago when he released his critically acclaimed first LP Long Way Down which boasted memorable songs like 'Can’t Pretend'.

But he's also a boy who has grown in confidence over the years, with a couple of new tracks, and just the right amount of madness to lift up the spirits of a crowd.

His motto of the night seems to be "give everything and hide nothing". In this, he couldn't have found a better setting than the Olympia. “My favourite venue in the world”, Tom claims. 'Jubilee Road' and 'I Know' make for a powerful early one-two, with the latter showcasing his gorgeous vocals to stunning effect, immediately proving everybody wrong who felt this was just going to be another concert by a singer songwriter.

Meanwhile, those who enjoy the 27-year-old's heartbreaking lyrics and dreamy melodies are truly spoiled by the three-song suite of 'Sparrow', 'Heal' and 'Wrong Crowd' – not to mention his international mega-hit 'Another Love'. Elsewhere, during an especially emotional moment of 'Hold Me', he offers his hand to the fans closest to him; it's little gestures like this that ensure the adoration of his audience.

Other similarly inspired moments include his compelling interactions with his band, including bassist Max Goff and guitarist Max Clilverd, and how the singer makes sure his glass hasn't slipped from its "safe" place on the piano.
In the next minute, in what seems a moment of sheer insanity, the singer jumps on the very same piano - and it's not the only time.

“Do you want to hear one more tune?”, he asks as the concert draws to a close. So overwhelming is the response, he plays not one or two more songs – but almost 40 minutes of extra music, including a random extract of Bethoven’s 'For Elise'. Some might argue that he has slightly overdone it. But what can we say? Dublin just loves Tom Odell.

With 'Magnetised', the concert ends as it has begun – on a high note. It's just Tom being Tom, proving once again that he is not only a man with a piano, but an incredible artist. Credit is also due to the lightning technicians who did a brilliant job making this such an atmospheric performance.

The Dublin concert is only the beginning of Odell’s Jubilee Tour, which takes him through Europe this autumn. Tickets are on sale now. Interested parties had better act quick – this is a man at the top of his game.

Listen to the title song of his new album “Jubilee Road” - out on October 26 - here.