John Newman – The Lexington, London 11/07/13

Strong, female vocalists have been leading the way for some time: the cinematic, powerful tones of Adele sky-rocketed her from a cheeky, cockney, Brit-school A&R hopeful to a record-smashing MBE; while the late, great and incomparable Amy Winehouse stands-alone, carving incredible mainstream success out of a raw, unmistakable jazz vocal that will undoubtedly stand the test of time, however popular music develops.

Now it’s not a competition, and the aforementioned two will remain somewhat untouchable, but it does feel like there is a gap for a characteristic male voice to stand-out and be heard.

Last summer a male voice certainly did stand-out in Rudimental’s ‘Feel The Love’, one of the biggest-selling singles of 2012, and John Newman was responsible for it. The young Yorkshire singer featured heavily on the track with jazz-inspired, retro tones that sat atop the entirely chart-ready production.

Just over a year later, and 23 year old Newman has landed his own Number One. ‘Love Me Again’ utilises his unique, bluesy rasp and the intensely catchy chorus has helped it find its way to the top of the charts, appropriately, the Sunday before his first headline show at an unsurprisingly sold out Lexington.

Immediately his popularity is abundantly clear; you can’t really move in the upstairs of the North London pub, and the front of the venue, made up of proud fellow-Yorkshiremen/women is particularly ecstatic, “Yorkshire! Yorkshire!” goes the refrain, as a bashful Newman cracks a wide smile, and slips out of his professional stage-persona for the first time tonight.

You would never know it’s his first show by the swagger and between-song interaction which, although feels a little forced at times, is thought-out and informative; “This is a song called ‘Cheating’ and it’s going to be my second single.” It sounds like a hit alright, as another bluesy melody dominates and the top end of his range crackles with typical attitude. There is so much depth to his voice, it always feels like it is about to break and yet reaches those notes that add desperation and colour.

‘Not Giving In’ gives the crowd, baying for inclusion, exactly what they are after; Newman encourages the singalong and the response is almost as empathic as it is in the set-closer ‘Love Me Again’. Of course, the tracks orchestral quality is lost; a full string and brass section – that will no doubt become regular – will embellish this track hugely, but it doesn’t matter, every word is belted out.

Back to the crowd and arms aloft, he fronts a fairly formidable four-man band that are spotless throughout. ‘Losing Sleep’ goes from its up-tempo beginnings into a progressive, indulgent break-down with screaming guitar solo and dramatic chord progressions.

They are a wonderfully accomplished back-drop to a frontman who has the potential to become a genuine popstar, and one that is a small way towards becoming like those mentioned above; entirely accessible across ages and boundaries thanks to an appreciation of quality, formulaic songwriting that may yet see Newman take the jazz-inspired baton forward, and end the search for that elusive UK male solo artist.