John Smith // NAC - 09.12.13

I first heard about this talented young musician about 7 years ago when I saw footage of him playing his track 'Winter', live on the YouTube. It was incredible. You should really check it out. He plays the guitar like 8 instruments at once, it's absolutely marvellous. So I was well up for seeing him live at the Arts Centre, on his tour of intimate venues to celebrate his 4th self released album, Great Lakes. He's matured into a rather smart, bearded, folk-looking man, with a great deal of confidence and personality on stage; he's really funny and totally heartfelt with his many speeches of thanks to us all for turning out on a weeknight (the place is full to bursting).

The Arts Centre is filled with the sense of appreciation for a real musician, John Smith, who fell in love with the guitar at the age of 11 and has yet to get over it. The way he plays, it's like the guitar is a part of him. The way he sings, it's like he breathes out and his voice floats out on the air. His voice is at times throaty, whispery, and when he really lets go, it soars. It's so silent in the hall that every tiny sound he makes is heard. He runs through an hour and a half of tunes, both old and new, from his songs - from murder ballads to Elvis covers and tracks from his new album. He sort of taps, flicks and hits the guitar to create a beat or rhythm, as well as a regular toe tap to accompany as well. Along with the lyrical style he has adopted, which is just so delicate, natural and full of emotion, the music he makes is absolutely perfect and such an original style.