He was originally set to play Sheffield's O2 Academy in October but had to cancel last minute due to illness, at the time it was frustrating but what he has experienced since that tour has enhanced his stage presence becoming a stronger performer. When I was lucky enough to see his intimate set in Brighton talent was evident but he came across timid on stage, nowadays not so much as he took the love from the crowd all in the palm of his hand, like it's the most natural thing.
Before Tom finally arrived on stage we had to endure a lifeless thirty minutes from Fryars, I couldn't even hum a song back straight after it finished, forgettable on every level. The memory of that dismal performance was wiped away thirty minutes later as the headliner began his eighteen song set. Three guys, dressed fully in black took to the guitar, bass (double bass occasionally) and drums, followed by the heartthrob with a white shirt, greeted by screams sat by his piano and launched into a stripped version of Long Way Down followed immediately by the powerful Hold Me seeing the vocals at it's most intense, he never loses control.
An apology for October's no-show was accepted. Tom is a nice young man, unbelievably charming, bashful without coming across wet, he looks as if he is living his dream, that is exactly what you want from a performer. Over the ninety minutes the crowd are not only treated to pretty much everything from the album, Tom puts his own spin on Etta James' I Just Want To Make Love To You and a handful of new songs which show influences of honky tonk blues, boogie woogie and gospel whilst the McCartney-esque Parties was so catchy that the crowd sung the chorus, on its very first performance. The follow up to the highly acclaimed Long Way Down sounds like it is going to live up to the debut.
I was afraid that Tom might struggle on the big stages as his personality is low-key but his year on the road has given him the confidence to entertain. He looks as comfortable strolling with just a mic in hand as he does at his beloved piano, he addresses the crowd at ease too.
It wasn't just about the big hits, Can't Pretend, I Know and Another Love evoked sing-a-longs but Till I Lost, Sirens and Supposed To Be were given equally warm receptions from the audience who (apart from those at the back rudely nattering away) were hanging on of every word.
This wasn't just another singer-songwriter indulging in heartbreak, he ticks all the boxes for a pop star likely to enjoy a lengthy career. Till next time, Tom...
