It's appealing to feel part of a tribe, and the Isaac Gracie party, like his music, is an eclectic one which is both relatable and inclusive. I like it. People are easy to talk to and will tell you, with some passion, how they first discovered ig and what song they first heard. Mine was “Terrified” it was an instant love on first hearing thing and, quite literally and amazingly, the same thing happened over again with each subsequent song I heard. For the ‘analogue’ among us, no one is afraid of buying the vinyl, you know the needle will stay on, from edge to label, times two. On digital, everyone has him on loop. The shared connection is a funny, wonderful thing.
I cast an eye over the gathering crowd and saw a wonderfully diverse bunch. Not wishing to be robbed of personal identity, many shun a uniform. But the human race is a fickle breed and when it comes to gathering for a gig, consciously or unconsciously, we tend to show our alleigence to an artist by mirroring them, or simply wearing the t-shirt. Over the balcony below, just as I expected, were young girls, wearing floaty seventies retro with long Rossetti tresses parted in the middle, channeling the man they'd come to see. Standing shoulder to shoulder with them were almost an equal number of blokes and a full gamut of ages which made up a composed and expectant mosh. The Gracie appeal is wide and I hazard a guess that, like the Texan we got talking to post gig, the growing throng contained a higher than average number of once broken-hearted. (Chase: if you're reading this, she was mad to let you go, you're going to be fine. Ask that actress out.)
ig took to the stage resplendent in heeled boots, red flares and a red flowered top. I couldn't help thinking that he'd dressed like a young Robert Plant crossed with, well, the venue we were sitting in actually - the Hackney Empire, beautiful and crimson! Between songs, as he thanks us and tells us about seeing Russell Brand here once, the impression is there is something intrinsically likeable about him, there is a transparent shyness and a warmth that escapes him and simply charms. So unlike Robert Plant, ig comes across as more self-deprecating flamingo than full blown strutting peacock.
"All In My Mind" was the heart-on-sleeve opening number that instaintly drew me in, had me sitting forward, hanging on his every word. It took but a matter of a few lines to confirm that the talent shown in his recordings could be replicated beautifully and skilfully live. He was aided in the majority of the numbers with a backing band numbering two, both expert in their roles, and as is the case with all truly excellent musicians and a receptive atmosphere, live can surpass the recordings. And so it did. I was blissfully hooked and willingly reeled in ever closer throughout the concert by the gift of that expressive voice.
ig's vocals and wonderful songwriting have already been noticed and lauded by the great and the good. All his songs contain poetic lyrics that are from and about the heart. His tender words are delivered in a range covering all bases, from the sorrowful and cracked "Love Ain't Always So Good" (the crowed barely breathed throughout the entire song) to the full blown bang-it-out rock, as in the chorus of the histrionic "Death of You and I" - an epic rollercoaster of a story that dips a toe into bosa nova and Latin. There are moments of showmanship that break through in this song, but I'm not going to spoil it for you here. These two songs alone demonstrate the diversity of the guy and yes, he has proven a consummate writer for the lovelorn, but also brings shades of the more commercial, as in soothing "Telescope" and "Running on Empty" which defies you not to join in with the chorus.
ig closes the set with an encore and the appropriately named 'Last Words'. Dare I venture to call this song a classic? Yes I do. I love it so, and as a feminist and lover of men who carry the flame for us, the lines "if you only want the woman you saw on TV, then your eyes are open but you just can't see" makes me want to sing them out aloud - which I happily do, because I have been politely invited to do so. Thank you Isaac.
Who can tell where ig will lead us next? More tear jerkers or more showy numbers? I hope not just in one direction (no pun intended). I hope he will remain as humble, diverse and as curious as he is today. One thing is for sure, he is only going up, and where he goes I will follow. I feel comfortable and totally at home in his tribe.
