Posted by Danni Le Toullec on November 4, 2009
From backstage at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Friday night, Paolo Nutini kicked off his sold out show with a cover of Frankie Valli's ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off You' to butter up an adoring, mostly female audience. The crooked grin and soft Scottish accent sealed the deal. Crouched over the microphone like a rag doll, the lyrics to 'These Streets' seemed to break out from his mouth. With his hands in his pockets, and this bizarre posture, Nutini's body language perfectly matched the powerful, raspy voice that you would expect from a weathered troubadour rather than a twenty-two year old lad from Paisely.
The shaggy haired crooner had the audience eating out of his palm as he played through a wide variety of genres, seamlessly transitioning from folk to country, dabbling in swing and pop. There was even a bit of a country hoe-down for 'Lead in my Pencil', which had everyone dancing in their seats and more than a few people wishing they could play spoons. Nutini and his 5-man band set about playing songs from the new Sunny Side Up album and the debut These Streets, using deft harmonies, flawless accapellas and some interesting techniques such as using maracas instead of drumsticks.
The applause and high-pitched squeals for an encore were deafening and Nutini returned to play the song that everyone had been waiting for 'Last Request which was accompanied by a surprisingly good crowd sing-a-long and a standing ovation. Some of the other favourites were Candy, Alloway Grove and Growing Up Beside You.
Check out this photo and more on the Kluster gallery
paolo nutini, enmore theatre, folk, country, swing, pop