Home Features Live Review: Beth Hart at the O2 City Hall in Newcastle

Live Review: Beth Hart at the O2 City Hall in Newcastle

March 24, 2023

979

It goes without saying that the international touring circuit has been a challenging environment in recent years. With both Covid and logistical challenges impacting the ability for musicians to take to the road. So much so, that the patrons at Beth Hart’s recent Newcastle concert had a hold of their tickets for almost three years due to rescheduling.

However, the day finally arrived for Beth Hart to make her eagerly anticipated Tyneside return. A show that promised to be a special evening. But turned out to be even more special for Beth. Arriving on stage, the artist declared that earlier in the day herself and her husband Scott had renewed their wedding vows. Subsequently, Beth was beaming. With love in the air, she performed a wonderful solo rendition of More Than You’ll Ever Know, which concluded with a hug and a kiss from Scott himself.

Beth Hart at the O2 City Hall, Newcastle – Photo: © Adam Kennedy

By the second song of the evening, Beth ventured out into the packed auditorium as she meandered her way around the hall whilst singing the classic Delicious Mistake. A rare treat indeed so early in the evening.

Beth Hart’s last studio album was a Tribute to Led Zeppelin, and as such, it didn’t take long before the artist rocked out with a triumphant medley of When the Levee Breaks, which was segued into Dancing Days. Hart recognised that when performing such tracks in the UK, she is on hallowed ground, so to speak. Zeppelin themselves played on the very same stage back in 1972.

One factor that separates Beth Hart from the rest of her peers is the artist’s ability to transition between genres effortlessly. Whether Beth is performing hard rock, blues, jazz, or soul Hart can make the leap between musical styles with ease. That becomes apparent when shortly after the Led Zeppelin numbers, Beth switched things up with a spellbinding airing of Melody Gardot’s Your Heart Is as Black as Night.

Hart sings with so much passion and intensity throughout the show. She is perfectly happy sitting behind her piano for several numbers of the set, including Rub Me for Luck, Try A Little Harder and the astounding Bad Woman Blues.

Beth never holds back; she speaks openly and honestly throughout the show. Nothing is sacred or off bounds. But family plays a huge part, not only in the artist’s repertoire but also as a topic of conversation during the evening. There are many highlights throughout the evening, but a showstopping rendition of My California is certainly one of those.

Beth’s versatility knows no bounds. A stripped-back acoustic segment is a testament to this. Beth and the band really take tracks like Sugar Shack, and Baby Shot Me Down back to basics and even jam them out a little.

Heading into the final stages of the main set, Hart performed a beautiful airing of Lullaby of the Leaves. Proving that there are a few artists who could cover Led Zeppelin, Melody Gardot and Ella Fitzgerald during a single set; and not only do them justice but make it work.

Beth concluded the set with her take on John Prine’s Angel from Montgomery. Perhaps one of the most beautiful songs of all time, and a track which was also performed by the legendary Bonnie Raitt. The result is a standing ovation.

A two-song encore featuring a further dose of Led Zeppelin via No Quarter and Babe I’m Gonna Leave You brought the show full circle. Whilst a rare performance of I’d Rather Go Blind was the cherry on top of a wonderful evening of music.

Those in attendance would all agree that this show may have been three years in the making, but it was certainly worth the wait.

Words and Photos by Adam Kennedy