Yesterday evening (June 7th) Grammy award winning singer and Season 3 American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino performed at the IndigO2 in front of a venue full of fans and supporters. This was her second time in London after performing at the same venue last year, but that didn’t stop ‘Tasia’ delivering another stomping performance. Hosted by Kojo (Comedian, Radio Presenter – Choice FM) who kept the crowd laughing between sets and with support from UK talent Cynthia Erivo, Cherri V and gospel act Raymond and Co, the concert showed Fantasia’s capacity to really entertain and lay her emotions and talent out there for all to see.
Walking out with her 2011 Grammy in her hand (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for ‘Bittersweet), Fantasia came on stage with an air of ‘I’m about to show you why I won this so get ready!’ Within two minutes she kicked off her heels in true Tasia style and over the next two hours Fantasia performed tracks from all three albums including favourites Truth Is, Collard Greens and Cornbread, Baby Mamma, Even Angels, the award winning Bittersweet and classic When I See You.
The endearing thing about Fantasia is that she is the kind of performer that doesn’t care about sweating out her hair or posing – she just gets down! She even said:
“You’ll have to excuse me but…I like to get ugly on the stage, give you people your money’s worth”
And that she did. Performing Man of the House she showed real energy bounding around the stage and her cover of Prince‘s Kiss had the whole entire venue on their feet dancing along like it was one big party. Other covers included Back to Life by British group Soul II Soul and Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry.
Anyone who’s seen Fantasia perform before knows to expect her to wear her emotions on her sleeve; the music seems to run through her veins and it just takes over – raw and uninhibited. It’s this that makes her relateable and songs about relationships such as Don’t Know Why I Love You seemed to resonate with the crowd – including the guys who at times seemed to be singing even louder than the females! Even Angels, clearly a crowd favourite, brought Fantasia to tears and it got even more personal when she launched into I’m Doin’ Me:
“I no longer live for folk, people gonna talk whether you do good or bad…after I been through and all the negative things they’ve said about me – I’m doing me”
Near the end of the entertaining evening Fanstasia leapt down from the stage to get up and close with her die hard fans, even taking a minute to pose for a picture with them.
Final Verdict: Fantasia’s definitely ‘up there’ when it comes to live performances. With little or non-existent staging and just a band and three backing singers for support, the fact that she could have the whole crown on their feet singing along is a testament to her amazing talent. London showed her love and she showed it right back – looking forward to seeing her back for a third time very soon!
Review rating: 5/5
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I was there and she “Went In!!” She did it again , I don’t care who they are how big a name performer they are , no one can compete with this girl . If she went on the stage and didn’t open her mouth she would still have more presence than most of today’s performers , but my god when she sings !!!!! There’s a reason that she’s the only black female winner of American Idol because that’s a tough thing to do but she did it with ease and remains the most astounding performer ever to come from that show and back then she was just getting started . Watch her now ,she’s dynamite and a special word for her band which was so tight oh my !!!!
fantasia is the best live performer and singer that out right now so if you havent seen her live your missing out
@Leonard, there is also Jordin Sparks that won on American Idol. However Fantasia is the best.
@storywriter, Fantasia has 3background singers. (2e, Aseelah, Mark)
I have seen her live and you are right it is such a treat. I see her EVERYTIME she comes in Louisiana (US). Her and her concerts are addictive (I went to one concert-now I just cant stop).
Thanks so much for the story & nice up close pics.
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