Live Review: Leif Vollebekk – 19th October 2024 – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK

Saturday saw the return of Leif Vollebekk to London on his UK tour, playing a sold out night at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Despite being tucked away in the rafters, the scene was set. Vollebekk’s band looked as though they were to be tightly packed together, as far as their equipment was concerned. An intimate setting for an intimate set of songs, in a room full to the brim.

With the stage freshly misted, and The Killers dying out over the speakers, the band emerged, Vollebekk with a candle in his hand. “You can’t see him,” he said, “but it’s Shakespeare. I don’t know why, but it feels important that he’s here tonight.” With such genius watching over the group, it was fitting that Rock and Roll began the night. The mood was set, the crowd relaxed but buzzing with anticipation. “How’s everyone doing?” Vollebekk nods to the cheers, turning back to his piano for Till I See You Again. He teased the crowd into singing along without speaking; a wave of his hands and occasional leans away from the microphone were all he needed. Everyone was in the palm of his hands.

He rose to guitar for Moondog, commenting that he feels as though he gets shorter with every gig whilst fiddling with the microphone stand. His humour shone through every time he spoke, as did his fast-moving attention span. Two minutes and an attempt at a Benjamin Button reference later, he dedicated the song to Cate Blanchett, who starred alongside Brad Pitt in the movie adaption. Moondog has nothing to do with the IP, but it’s gorgeous harmonica and beautiful backing vocals could have suited the film well. “A friend of mine is gonna come up and sing a few songs off the record.” That friend happened to be the UK’s own James Bay, who unceremoniously appeared on stage, guitar in hand. As quickly as he appeared, he was gone, but his contribution to Peace of Mind was greatly appreciated. “This is an old one,” Vollebekk then stated as he played the intro to Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman! Sadly for some, it was not the intended tune. “Just kidding. Similar tempo though.” Apalachee Plain went down just as well as Shania would have.

A humorous story about surfing led to Surfer’s Journal, in which Vollebekk recounted how he almost died at the bottom of the sea. Dramatic or not, the twenty-five piece orchestra condensed into trigger-pads and one violinist maintained its poignant power, and the band pulled out all the stops to elevate the song. “You guys still doing ok?” He asked, before beginning False-Hearted Lover with a brief portion of Joni Mitchell’s A Case Of You. Vollebekk shows his talent for duel-wielding instruments, not only playing piano, singing, and triggering pads, but then his guitar, standing for a triumphant solo. This led to a false exit, Vollebekk only being gone for a few seconds. “That’s the only break I need right there!” What followed were two older songs, the former seeing Vollebekk at the piano but playing guitar and harmonica, occasionally playing chords on the keys. 

James Bay returned to the stage once again, this time joined by singer-songwriter Birdy, for Southern Star. Birdy’s sultry vocals added to the duet-worthy tune, while James Bay’s solo at the end finished off the song perfectly. Dancers by The Killers made a return as the intro to Vollebekk’s Transatlantic Flight, proving to be the second to last surprise of the wonderful evening. As the song came to an end, Vollebekk thanked the audience before stating “the concert’s officially over, we’re just doing this because I want to do it – are you ready?” Prince’s Purple Rain ended the night on a truly magical note, everyone involved having the time of their lives, and everyone in attendance reflecting that mood.

Set List:
Rock and Roll
Till I See You Again
Into the Ether
Moondog
Elijah Rose
Peace of Mind (with James Bay)
Apalachee Plain
Surfer’s Journal
False-Hearted Lover
Hot Tears
Long Blue Light
Vancouver Time
Rest
Elegy
Southern Star (with Birdy and James Bay)
Transatlantic Flight
Purple Rain (Prince Cover) (with James Bay)

Ryan Bulbeck

Writer and Musician, Ryan Bulbeck has been published with a number of online publications, and has worked with a myriad of great artists, both as a performer, and as a producer. His most recent band The 295 are still active, playing shows around the UK.