On a cloudy Wednesday evening, New York City concertgoers flooded into Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield to get a taste of two of the hottest acts Britain has to offer.The show was opened by the rising British electronic quartet, Rudimental. Theire high-energy singles such as “Feel the Love”, not only made them jump onto UK and US charts, but kept a captivated crowd jumping throughout their set. Performing such hits as “Free”, “Right Here”, and “Not Giving In” kept the audience in great spirits, making for a wonderful appetizer. Rudimental’s first studio album, entitled “Home”, is now in stores.
Rudimental seemed to end their set at the perfect time, because rain began to fall as soon as they exited off the stage.
(Rudimental Performs at SummerStage – Photo Credit: Meghan Benson)
As the stage crew prepared for the arrival of the main event, the audience grew wet and restless. But, as soon as Emeli Sandé’s banner was hoisted and she was seated at her piano, all seemed to be right with the world. Her soulful voice filled Central Park as fans screamed her name. Trasitioning seamlessly from behind the piano to the front stage microphone, it was clear that Emeli was at home in front her adoring fans.
She performed such favorites as “Where I Sleep” and “Breaking the Law”, before mentioning her fans would only have to wait a little while longer for new EP project “Who Needs the World” (which currently is to be released this Autumn). She then introduced the EP title track, “Who Needs the World”. As the soft violin-laden love ballad filled the park, Emeli made it clear her love was more valuable than the entire world.
She followed the new track with; “Suitcase”, “My Kind of Love”, “Clown”, “Beneath Your Beautiful”, “Read All About It”, “Wonder”. She even introduced another new track from the upcoming EP entitled “Lifted” (produced by Naughty Boy).
And when the lights seemed to dim and the concert seemed to have reached its end, Emeli returned to the stage for the grand finale, her hit song “Next to Me”. And as the audience shouted the lyrics back at her, the lights dimmed for the last time.
-JT Tarpav
