Isaac Gracie - EartH Dalston - 26 Nov 18

Isaac Gracie is funny. It isn’t comedy night, but he gets a laugh out of the EartH audience in Dalston as he holds up his arms and looks down at the vintage top he says he’s invested in especially for this, the final night of his current tour. Being quite long, he wonders whether the top looks a bit like a dress. The thought hadn’t crossed my mind until he says it, but ha-ha yes, it is long and dress-like, in a cool sixties, The Monkees type way. I like it. He looks mighty fine and I admire a person who has distinct style and carries themselves with confidence. I believe ‘confidence’ is the operative word for the night.

The last time I saw Isaac Gracie live was almost seven months ago, in April at the sold out Hackney Empire (see previous entry). In short, back then I was smitten by his vocal talent and incredibly well crafted songs and bewitched by his other worldliness. That gig confirmed what a highly accomplished songwriter he is, but I also felt excited by the sense that this guy was on the threshold of something bigger than the Empire. Promise is a very heady thing, and that promise, I’m happy to say, is being converted into a tangible return.

There’s been a marked change in the man’s set and performance since the spring. What the hell happened? Everything seems to have been tweaked and tightened up. The band doesn’t shuffle on - they make an impressive entrance through smoke and lights to the tune of a swelling celestial choir. What a devine way to arrive! (Note for IG for next time: could you add the smell of church incense please? You may guffaw, but wouldn’t it be gorgeous?) Gracie gets stuck right in, moving around the large stage, sizing it and us up. This isn’t just a showcase for his songs, this is full blown performance. He is charged, giving his best, tearing his thumb on his guitar strings. Adrenaline prevents him from even noticing the blood.. The guy owns the place - his voice seems more assured, louder even, and it fills the venue hitting the ceiling and bouncing off the back of the auditorium. 

In a lineup of solely self-written songs, there’s no space for covers now. The running order of songs is perfectly pitched with ass-kicking highs and heart stopping lows, all in exactly the right place. The new additional songs for his first album are more upbeat, but equally as heartfelt and passionate as the first batch. IG’s songwriting has shifted too, notably in a brand new song I think is called Little Blue House. This song hits us between the eyes. I’d never heard it before, and as with all of his lyrics, Gracie can beautifully translate his feelings into a language we can all relate to. This song conveys an acerbic tone, one which points a finger and says “Oi! I sussed you out!” It is strong and mighty and deliciously cathartic. More! I need to hear it again and sing it loudly on a roadtrip! 

Ending with an invitation to sing along to the beautiful Last Words - a song that is rapidly becoming his Everlong - I realise that a summer of gigging and hard graft has helped Gracie evolve and grow in stature and confidence.  The stage is his home, he smiles as we sing his words and we all bask in his glow. 

Yeah, it was an alright night. ;)