Morning:
8°c
Critic rating
, Exhilirating Urban plays it straight
John Aizlewood, London Lite 25 Apr 2007
Sometimes it's as if Nicole Kidman doesn't really know about men. Having disentangled herself from Tom Cruise, she married country star Keith Urban - who checked into rehab four months later. After coming out, he embarked upon a world tour.
Last night Urban was unwilling to unburden himself. He dedicated Got It Right This Time to the woman referred to only as "my wife", and that was that for tittle-tattle.
But he and his crack five-piece band delivered an appealing smorgasbord of white, working class American music. There were nods to The Byrds on the harmonic frenzy of Better Half and to Bruce Springsteen on the impassioned Stupid Boy which, in all likelihood, was not a Dad's Army tribute.
Best of all was Used To The Pain, a thumping call to arms propelled by gifted drummer Chris McHugh. After two mostly exhilarating hours, all were exhausted and the sweat-soaked Urban confirmed he's no mannequin. Perhaps Nicole knows about men after all...
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (7)
I've been a fan of Keith Urban for about 5 years now, and I've been lucky enough to see him twice in concert. His music, and performance just keeps getting better and better and talents like him are few and far between. Keith's love of performing and the sincerity of his music and lyrics resonates to his fans, through his albums and live shows. I am still riding on the high of seeing him at Shepherds Bush on tuesday night. Keith - please come back in October - we're counting the days..(go by).
- Lucy Withers, London, 27/04/2007 10:12
Report abuse
Have to agree with Adrian and Micheal - thumping talent with the best guitar skills I've seen for a long time. Can't add anything more to what's already been said other than WHO'S NICOLE KIDMAN!
- Lynn Wesley, Hockley, Essex UK, 27/04/2007 09:40
Report abuse
Keiths concert was unreal. He has so much talent and it's about time people stopped talking about his wife and his personal problems and starting listening to the music.
- Martine, Twickenham, 27/04/2007 08:38
Report abuse
I was dragged along to the Keith Urban concert last night by my wife, Im not a huge country fan and diddnt expect to enjoy it. Wow how wrong was I, Keith urban was brilliant his guitar playing would rival any body and it just seemed like they were having so much fun, almost like a big jam session, I would certainly rate it as one of the best gigs I've seen, great venue very intimate.
- Adrian, London, 26/04/2007 08:26
Report abuse
If you think country music is all about big hats and slide guitars, think again. Keith Urban is taking the genre to new places and doing it in style. I had heard about his live act and he didn't let me, or any of his fans, down. Nearly 2 hours of terrific entertainment, mixing new and old tracks, with too many highlights to mention. I hadn't heard a great deal of his music in the past, but I know that we will be hearing much more from him and I can't wait until October, when he says he is coming back. He deserves a bigger venue and a great recognition for being so much more than Nicole Kidman's husband. This guy is a star in his own right.
- Michael, Newmarket, 25/04/2007 23:36
Report abuse
A brilliant intimate night. Keith just gets better and better. If you've got a chance to see him live - don't miss it!
- Anna Gould, London, 25/04/2007 20:00
Report abuse
I was at the concert last night and I was hugely impressed by the emotional abandon of Keith's and the band's performances. Everyone there seemed to be swept away by the passion and beauty of the songs' expression. For any Keith Urban fan, I would highly recommend attending tonights performance; I am still recovering from being pleasurably overwhelmed!
- Sarah, UK, 25/04/2007 18:07
Report abuse
