Review of ‘Shanay Holmes In Concert’: “Heartfelt performance is remarkably pulsating”

She knows how to shine. And for the most part, that’s all she did. There are many things to praise about Shanay Holmes’s last week’s solo performance at the Cadogan Hall, whose hit-studded repertoire and overall excellent execution were received with a well-deserved standing ovation. From hopeful Disney Princess solos to swanky Bob Marley anthems, this spine-tingling celebration of the actress’s career, life, and upcoming debut album resulted in a musical feat from start to finish — and a wondrous reminder of what quality entertainment should be.

Her soft presence is nothing short of magnetic. If her rendition must be described in just a few words, those could only be elegant, impassioned, and extremely touching. It doesn’t matter if her pitch wasn’t always perfect. Or if her loud inhaling in some numbers came across as excessive, unnecessary, and slightly off-putting. All of that can be forgiven thanks to the visceral authenticity she gave to every song, demonstrating an uncanny ability to live each piece. And most importantly, to make the audience participants in that experience.

Those occasional flaws shouldn’t be a deterrent to laud her singing prowess, which is by no means underwhelming. Her voice brims with delicateness, and that’s precisely where its power lies. On the whole, it’s exceedingly pure and soulful. Every note is gracefully handled, imbued with colour and sentiment, while conveying a clean, unadulterated sound that holds a crystal-clear quality — bright, transparent, and utterly majestic.

This doesn’t conflict with her aptitude to belt. And belting she does. It might not be booming, but it still manages to fill the room in its own right. Every segment is sustained with absolute effortlessness, and it’s imbued with a sense of grandeur that makes the melody soar, teeming with finesse and radiance.

Accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, their impeccable interpretation turned the group into the other star of the evening. And probably, the biggest of the two. Conductor Chris Poon demonstrates exceptional understanding of phrasing and texture. Consequently, every piece flows and breathes with extraordinary strength, swarming with emotiveness and speaking directly- and uninterruptedly -to the audience’s hearts.

The musical arrangements are just as commendable. Whether maintaining the original orchestrations or opting for a new approach, every number captured the essence of the source material, amplifying it through a vibrant sound palette that nonetheless allowed a few solo accompaniments to shine, with a special mention to the piano section.

Highly captivating and equally memorable, Shanay Holmes’s concert at the Cadogan Hall can only be defined as a contradiction in terms — a phenomenon that, constantly and unequivocally, plays to her benefit. You could add some polish to it. But at the same time, it’s some of those imperfections that infused her act with authenticity — unfeigned, profound, and utterly personal. Artistically, it was tremendously compelling. And in the end, that’s all I can ask for.

All pictures credit to Matthew Titterton.

Upcoming performances at the Cadogan Hall and tickets are available on the following link.

By Guillermo Nazara