Live at the Marquee review: Love is in the air for Tom Odell concert
Tom Odell performing on the Live at the Marquee stage in Cork for the final gig in the big tent for the 2024 season. Picture: Chani Anderson
British singer-songwriter Tom Odell closed off Cork’s 2024 Live at the Marquee series on Tuesday night with an intimate solemn atmosphere, shared with lovers, friends and families.
The ‘Another Love’ singer held Leeside in an unmoving trance, as he lulled the crowd into his stories of love lost, melancholia, and heartbreak.
Maria Kelly took to the stage shortly before 8pm, gracing the crowd with her soft voice and guitar strumming.
Odell then took to the stage shortly before 9pm, with screams from the crowd as his band first came in.
A grand piano was set up on the Marquee stage before Odell opened the nearly two-hour set with ‘Loving You will be the Death Of Me’ from his latest album
“How are you Cork? It’s lovely to be here,” Odell uttered.
While some of his songs could have allowed the crowd to let loose, dance, and raise their hands in the air, the intimate conversations between Odell and Leeside through his lyrics left the crowd in some silence as they slightly swayed side-to-side.
The 33-year-old did not fail to be a performer with his six-band piece, which included a saxophone and a violin, as tears were shed, kisses were shared between partners, and friends gave hugs.
The crowd was electrified as Odell played the grand piano, with his band singing some of his well-known tunes ‘Can’t Pretend’ and ‘Another Love’.
The crowd of mainly younger people, as well as those in their late 20s- and middle-aged couples, raised their phones as he lulled the crowd and sang directly into the faces of the front row.
It was not just listening to Odell perform on Tuesday night — great care was also placed into the display on stage, while red and purple lighting and shadow work allowed the audience to immerse themselves further into his Leeside performance which is part of his Black Friday tour.
Odell is set to play Dublin’s 3Arena on Wednesday.
This was the last gig this summer for the Marquee, as the crowds now draw back, bars and food trucks close, and the big yellow and blue tent comes down until next time.
Live at the Marquee saw a large lineup of artists this summer, from Cork singer Lyra to American RnB artist Ne-Yo.
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