Live Review: Sampha

As no more than 500 people filed into the Drama Theatre last night to see Sampha's much-anticipated debut performance in Sydney, the words on everyone's lips were exactly the same: "I'm so excited". The British R&B singer/producer entered the low-lit midnight blue stage to howling applause and a crowd that couldn't stay put in their seats.

Accompanied by a trio of synthesiser players and drummers, Sampha stirred us with soulful cuts from his acclaimed solo album Process. Having collaborated with some of the biggest names in the business over the last seven years — Kanye West, Beyonce, Drake and Frank Ocean — it was gratifying to see the shadowy star finally seize the spotlight.

Sampha's soul-baring vocals poured out into the slow-building show openers Plastic 100C and Timmy's Prayer, and the audience became immediately engulfed by the orphaned artist's representation of grief and loneliness. Switching seamlessly between husky whispers and heart-aching shouts, between introspective stances and spirited dancing — his performance demonstrated majestic contrast.

The lighting that mimicked each musical mood and highlighted Sampha's distinctive silhouette was very fitting given the concert was part of Vivid 2017; a festival of light, music and ideas. The wash of blood red lights were particularly impactful during the haunting Blood On Me, which culminated in a chorus of live and processed beats.

The young Londoner's ghost-like falsetto was most affecting when Sampha was left alone to tickle the ivories on set-closer (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano. But as we learned from the inevitable encore, which featured four performers sharing a drum kit to recreate the skittering beats of Without, nothing pleased the crowd more than an excuse to get on out of their chairs and dance along. 

Sampha and his musical partners seemed to reel off this energy and off the high of performing under the hallowed sails of the Sydney Opera House, victory lapping around the stage and hugging it out when the music faded and the lights dimmed.