Tom Odell, O2 Academy, Birmingham - review

This was indeed a beautiful, melodic ballad and what you might expect from the accomplished singer/songwriter. But if anyone thought one man and his piano signified a mellow, relaxed show they were very mistaken.

Tom Odell is a demon behind – and sometimes on top of – the piano. His live show is another dimension beyond the easygoing, soulful production his recordings offer.

The show opened with the man himself, at the piano, under a single spotlight - incredibly atmospheric - playing the title track from his new album Jubilee Road – out on Friday he proudly revealed.

But as the tempo stepped up so did the lighting to reveal, one by one, the rest of the band.With the crowd starting to warm up he launched into the more familiar, and a livelier version, of I Know which really got the party started – and even saw the piano stool tossed aside as Odell threw himself into the performance.

Standing behind a piano is a difficult prop for a singer to manage while trying to entertain. With Odell though, not only is his playing totally hypnotic, his fingers flying across the keys with a life of their own, but the piano is an extension of his performance area whether he is stood up and pounding the keys, sliding across it or standing on the instrument directing the band.

Not that he stays behind the piano, he does step out to sing from time to time, even ending up in the pit with the crowd at one point.

Suited and booted last night, the boy from Sussex demonstrated a strong stage presence, despite not being too chatty, and an incredibly powerful voice with tremendous range. And the crowd clearly adore him – they told him often enough.

Despite only having two albums out, and the third pending, the energetic Odell played for more than two hours. Hits from his debut album, Long Way Down, dominated including Can’t Pretend, the haunting Heal, a real sing-along version of my personal favourite Grow Old With Me and a rousing rendition of Hold Me.

A brief dabble at Imagine by John Lennon was slipped into the set which was welcomed by the crowd who were already in good voice.

As the set reached its climax he fired up the crowd with Entertainment before delivering the huge hit Another Love, leaving the stage and the room on an adrenalin high.

And if you didn't already think you had had your money's worth, the lengthy encore included such favourites as Somehow, from second album Wrong Crowd, Till I Lost, Concrete, a very catchy Half as Good as You from the new album and finishing with the ever popular Magnetised.

Descending into a crazy jam session, Odell and the band really let go as they brought the night to a crescendo and said their farewells, leaving the fans still singing.

This was certainly not a sedate Sunday night concert – at times it was simply wild and showcased the versatility and ability of this incredible talent.