Hunter Hayes
Live in London Koko 22nd May
Words and Pictures by Hels Bels
Hunter Hayes has a rather large following here in the UK, the line outside KoKo snaked around the building a couple of times, yet you mention his name and he hasn’t yet reached mainstream phenomenon.
Having played Borderline back in March, Hunter was back in London for the opening night of his UK tour, and his fans were out in force. Comprising mainly of teenage girls, KoKo was packed to its glitterball rafters as Hunter took the stage to piercing screams and the delight of the crowd.
Opening with Tattoo, Hunter and his band ensured the crowd immediately were engaged. Hunter is a talented musician as well as front man, playing guitar as well as entertaining the crowd. Moving around the stage, leaning into the crowd, by the end of the 1st song he had them right where he wanted. Not that he needed to do much, his loyal followers knew every word to all the songs, sometimes singing louder than him and drowning him out. Moving from instrument to instrument, Hunter showed off all his talents, from shredding a guitar, to a slower ballad on piano, focusing on not only his vocals but his accomplishment as a musician.
He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, mainly appealing to the younger generation, but he is certainly helping to bring country to the mainstream in the UK which is much needed, and he is a talented musician, which is rare in the industry these days. He carries on his tour around the UK, and I’m sure it won’t be long before he is back playing bigger venues!
Set List :
Tattoo
Storm Warning
21
Wildcard
Storyline
Still Fallin’
Light Me Up
Heartbreak
Everybody’s Got Somebody
You Think You Know
Secret Love
Invisible
Wanted
Love Makes Me
Crazy