Concert Review
Artist: Estelle
Date: 1 September 2008
Venue: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, British Columbia 

Reviewed By: Lauren Eldridge (Port Moody Correspondent - Canada)

Who doesn’t know American Boy featuring Kanye West? It is next to impossible to enter a club without hearing the song at some point of the evening, the clientele of the female variety singing along, as catching as Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl. Having been given a CD of primarily British pop music, I also knew No Substitute Love, which is just as enjoyable to sing along to. Estelle proved an exciting prospect as the concert loomed ahead of me, and I was expecting some good tunes.

The doors opened at 7.30 pm. Of course, in my anticipation, I failed to read on the ticket that I had paid to see Estelle and guests. Entering the club at 7.45 allowed equal opportunity for seats near the stage. The Commodore’s renowned dance floor would remain empty for some time. Around 8 pm, a DJ came out and started to play. I didn’t recognize much of the music, but it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, many DJs become more concerned about altering music by inserting sounds than playing mixed versions of songs. This DJ played for over an hour, and was then replaced by another DJ, who played more to the feminine taste in popular music. She was on for over an hour as well, and by the time Estelle’s band was ready to set up it was already 10.30 pm. The DJs weren’t bad, but you would think that opening for Estelle would warrant some indication of who they are in case the audience liked them.

The disadvantage of not coming on stage until almost three hours after your audience enters the club is the potential for thoughts of Estelle as a presumptuous and high-maintenance diva. Luckily for Estelle, this is not the case. Coming out to screams and whistles, this UK pop star brings reality with her. Aside from being talented and having much potential, Estelle’s songs mean something to her. They sprout from experience and emotion, a stirring mix of fact and feeling that not only means something to the audience, but also gets everyone on their feet. Estelle gives an energetic performance, aided by equally enthusiastic backup singers and band members.

Even though I only knew two of her songs, I was surprised at how much I was able to enjoy the concert. I was on my feet, clapping and dancing, trying to sing along to the choruses. Estelle’s fun blend of pop and rap is sure to please a wide range of listeners. Estelle, who explained how she came about creating them, introduced many of her songs. Her explanations and stories were very funny, making her little talks as much fun as her music. She is able to appeal to the girls without alienating the guys, making her a popular choice for both genders. Estelle’s upbeat enthusiasm can be seen in everything she does, from the way she talks and sings to the way she dances and dresses. Her interactive performances were a rare treat, as she pulled a guy up on stage to dance with her for one of her songs. She is fun to watch, fun to listen to, and even better live on stage. I would highly recommend both her CD and her next appearance in a city near you.