Live Review: Natasha Bedingfield – 12th September 2024 – KOKO, London, UK
3 min read
Last night saw the triumphant return of Natasha Bedingfield to KOKO in London, not only in celebration of Unwritten – her debut album released 20 years ago – but also to celebrate her fans as a whole. The one off show proved to be a tour-de-force, Natasha pulling no punches and managing to throw some surprises into the mix.
Presenter and DJ Abbie McCarthy opened the night, her choice of classic hits and modern bits fitting the vibe of the evening perfectly. With the room glittering red from the room’s huge disco ball, Natasha emerged with a wave of cheers, her backing band kicking off the set before she strutted on stage. Her sparkling golden cape and confident vocal delivery hooked everyone instantly, leading the crowd in a singalong even before any indication of a song. Love Like This and Pocketful of Sunshine had the audience singing back so loudly that there was no need for backing singers. As a matter of fact, there were none. Natasha’s three-piece band were enough to allow her to soar, and Natasha herself traversed notes and melodies with such ease that it was easy to see she had made the right choice.
“This is a special gig for me,” she told the reciprocating fans, grabbing a member of her crew to help open a fan-made flag. Roller Skates followed, Natasha’s high falsettos – almost whisper vocals – a treat for the ears. It’s hard to overestimate how incredible of a vocalist she really is. Single came after, mixed with Eminem’s Lose Yourself towards the end. “I am gonna play some songs from the first album,” she joked, launching into the lavish and emotional I Bruise Easily.
What followed was a medley of hits from her back catalogue. I Wanna Have Your Babies, I’m A Bomb, all seamlessly transitioning between each one. It led to a moment of reflection for Natasha, telling the audience that the music industry feels like a different place, and that it’s easier to be yourself now. “Just do what’s in your heart, just do it now.” It was a poignant moment that led into the first surprise of the night – Natasha’s take on Coldplay’s The Scientist. The ballad was taken at face value, the words allowed to breathe whilst Natasha belted the choruses. It was sung back by the crowd just as enthusiastically as any of her originals and reminded those outside the circle that the fans were truly there for Natasha, and not just the nostalgia-factor of her songs.
After joking asking what socials everyone uses – “but no Myspace? I like that everyone’s going back to flip phones!” – and leading a call and response of “oh yeah’s”, the band broke into a rendition of the classic Ain’t Nobody and her brother’s hit Gotta Get Thru This. This culminated in an amazing rendition of Prince’s Purple Rain. The audience erupted at the first hint of chorus-heavy guitars and the utterance of the first line. It was fitting that, after completing her who’s-who of other hits, she returned to one of her own. These Words needed no introduction, and by the level of the crowd’s singing, barely needed Natasha either.
The evening flew by, finishing with Natasha’s own Wild Horses and a remix of These Words that saw the DJ and producer Badger take the stage. It was a suitably party-hard ending to a celebration that, as well as being well deserved, was genuinely unforgettable.
Set List:
Love Like This
Pocketful of Sunshine
Roller Skate
Single
I Bruise Easily
Frogs & Princes / I Wanna Have Your Babies / I’m A Bomb
The Scientist (Coldplay Cover)
Soulmate
Weightless / Ain’t Nobody / Gotta Get Thru This
Purple Rain (Prince Cover)
These Words
Unwritten
Encore:
Wild Horses
These Words (Badger Remix)
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.
