The Amy Winehouse Band Performing With Live Orchestra At Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Mel S-W
Amy Winehouse was a huge Noughties icon with her gravelly soulful voice and colourful public/private life. Her songs are instantly recognisable and legendary. The Amy Winehouse Band, which is Amy’s actual band brought local girl, lead singer Bronte Shandé, back to the south coast on Saturday 15 November. Faced with a nearly full audience, which included some of her music teachers from school, Bronte delighted the audience with some classic Amy Winehouse songs. In a poignant tribute to Amy, in which she thanked Amy for the songs she’d written, which allowed her to relive an 8 year old’s dream.
Having raised the rafters on their visit in September 2024, the Amy Winehouse Band – lead by Amy’s musical director and bassist Dale Davis, took Lighthouse Poole by storm. This performance we were lucky enough to see the band supported by an orchestra. The orchestra added something a little bit special to the performance. Dale Davis announced at the end of the show that this was their third outing with an orchestra and something just clicked on stage. As an audience member, you could see that all on stage were immensely proud of what they’d achieved.
Amy Winehouse’s original band were with her live and on record all the way from her very beginnings to the Grammys and the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury and it was something special to see them perform songs that were clearly in their blood. Throughout the evening Bronte often spoke about what song they were going to sing, what it had meant to Amy, and performances that had meant something to them. It gave a real insight that I didn’t expect from tonight and really appreciated.
The show opened with Tears Dry On Their Own and throughout the show were treated to classics such as Back to Black and Love Is A Losing Game. Adeleye Omotayo, The Amy Winehouse Band’s very own dancer extraordinaire (and soulful backing vocals) kept everyone enthralled by his love of the music, the beat hit him and there was nothing that could stop him from dancing. He was on his feet, moving and feeling the music and lyrics the whole way through the show. He absolutely stole the hearts of everyone in the room. For the second half we were on our feet dancing to the likes of Rehab and Valerie. Soul met Jazz in a sonic embrace, and the crowd was hooked – thanks to a trumpet and sax pairing that oozed cool and stirred the soul.
The tour will continue and will culminate in a particularly poignant performance at the Roundhouse in Camden, a venue that meant so much to Amy.
It was a night of irresistible, toe-tapping soul and jazz that had us itching to hit the dance floor. Bronté’s hauntingly powerful vocals paid a stunning tribute to Amy Winehouse, capturing her spirit with style and soul.
I would give the show 4 out of 5.
This was a one night only show with tickets starting from £34.65
Find out what else is coming up at Lighthouse by checking out their website www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/ or calling the Box Office on 01202 280000
The full address is Lighthouse, Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG