Review - An Evening with Blake

An Evening with Blake at Burnley Mechanics

Now I know Blake have performed at many different types of venues but before you ask, No, they weren’t performing in a garage! However, as it had been over 9 months since I had last seen the guys perform, I do believe I would have turned up at a garage if it had meant seeing them perform locally.

For those of you who are aren’t familiar with them, Blake, consisting of Ollie Baines, Humphrey Berney, Jules Knight and Stephen Bowman are four British classical crossover singers who formed through Facebook back in 2007 and who have been thrilling audiences ever since with their unique style and incredible harmonies – it doesn’t hurt that they are also four handsome young men with a great sense of humour and are genuinely friendly and down to earth guys.

They are currently touring the UK inviting audiences to spend “An Evening with Blake” for two hours of wonderful songs, amazing harmonies and friendly banter. All of which makes for a very relaxed and intimate show and judging by the ticket sales, an evening which is very popular with audiences everywhere.

At their concert in Burnley, they performed songs from each of their three albums; combinations of well known pop and classical songs and each showing not just their individual strengths in solo parts but also their unique and often breathtaking sound when they harmonise together. Whether accompanied by their musical director, backing track or performing a Capella, these guys hit the right notes in more ways than one. Some of the songs literally gave me goose bumps as they are performed with such feeling and emotion that you really get to appreciate the beauty of the music and the lyrics. Many of the songs would be familiar to audiences as they are taken from film soundtracks or were well known traditional songs. It was nice to hear the guys introduce the songs explaining a personal connection to them as it gave an added poignancy. I was pleased to hear many of my favourites performed such as Because We Believe,Bring Him Home, Chasing Cars, And So It Goes, Hallelujah, God Only Knows and finishing with my absolute favourite Jerusalem. There’s something about Jerusalem that I have loved ever since I was a little girl, it is such a stirring arrangement and Blake always perform it with such fervour you can’t help but feel patriotic.

It was also the first time that I got to hear them perform All of Me, a song released especially to celebrate the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Both Jules and Ollie have connections to the royal couple and this was their special tribute to them. It is a touching and romantic song that I suspect will be played at many weddings in the future. I have to say that as much as I have enjoyed this song through recordings, it sounded so much better live as you could hear the individual voices combining in such wonderful harmony.  

Afterwards the guys took time to meet with fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. Ever since I have known them, they have always taken the time out to talk to their fans and show their appreciation for the support they are given from them. It’s something that adds to the appeal of the group and sets them apart from others of their genre.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to see Blake in concert then check out their website for upcoming performances and book tickets for a venue near you. I guarantee you, there’s no better way to spend an evening than in the company of Blake.

For more information about Blake, their tour and current album releases go to their official website http://www.blakeofficial.com/

Follow them on twitter www.twitter.com/TheBandBlake

Or check out some of their many performances on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/UnofficiallyBlake#p/a