Maverick Sabre / Ms Dynamite / Aruba Red

Tonight saw the arrival of one of the UK's (+Ireland's) finest RnB Youngsters, BRIT nominee and baby faced Maverick Sabre was due in town to showcase extraordinary album 'Lonely and the Brave'.

22 year old Michael Stafford's (AKA Maverick Sabre) career began back in 2008 with humble beginnings appearing on an album called 'Sense The Terror' by Irish rappers Terawrizt and Nu-Centz, appearing on two tracks; following on from this releasing his own mix tape called 'The Travelling Man', this was available as a free download and featured stupendous track 'Sometimes'.

Mr Sabre has worked with some of the UK's finest artists including Chase and Status, Wretch 32 and Professor Green.

I was quite excited to see what all the fuss is about tonight in the live arena, was he as good as everyone is ranting about? Only time would tell I guess. We got to the venue and I was astonished to see the longest queue ever outside the Institute, problems parking and panicking we would miss Ms Dynamite who was providing support tonight. After joining the endless snake of a queue and waiting in the freezing cold we got in the venue.

We were greeted with the loudest bass line I have ever experienced, it went right through me, an artist called Aruba Red was on stage with her two band members, drummer and a percussionist/Apple man, all the music was on a Mac (If that makes sense!). I'm gonna be honest here, not my cuppa tea, especially when the bass line drowns out the vocalist and all I can hear is mumbling in the mic.

Her music is described as a mixture of reggae, dub, acoustic, soul, hip hop, dubstep, tribal, electronic & experimental styles. But, in retrospect she has her finger on the pulse speaking out about against issues including consumerism, war, globalization and traditional power structures.

She is obviously down with the kids as they loved her and obviously 'Mav' thinks she's awesome, I was in fear after seeing 'Aruba' that Ms Dynamite might blow my ears off in to oblivion as well.

Ms Dynamite came on stage at 8.30, all I could think was it was gonna be a late night, on a school night too. A pumping, energy filled 30 minute set with a DJ as company, Christ almighty, I did feel old, absolutely thumping bass line followed by the fastest vocals I've ever heard, I couldn't hear a word!

She strode from each side of the stage perilously, bounce, bounce, bounce, whatever she was on - I want some.

Song of the night for me was her song written by Labrinth was fab 'Neva Soft', absolutely stonking. 30 mins is all my ears could take, and I had forgotten my ear plugs as well.



Maverick Sabre came on stage around 9.30, the audience were 'Mad for it', mainly women on the first few rows, screaming, it was hilarious. As we ploughed through the audience later on it did become apparent that the audience was 80% female.

An absolutely dumbfounding set, showcasing Sabre's smokey vocals, you can understand why he's been described as the male Amy Winehouse. I was pleasantly surprised with his performance, reminded me ever so slightly of Plan B, is this a complement, I just don't know.

Tonight was all about 'Lonely and the Brave', we were treated to a 16 song set, kicking proceedings off with 'Memories', 'Open My Eyes' and 'I Can Never Be', the audience were lapping it up totally, I've never seen so many camera phones up in the air trying to record every single minute.

'Cold Game', 'Change', 'These Day's', the tracks just kept coming, this boy is certainly talented and the British press and public aren't wrong with their perception of how bloody talented this guy is.

'No One' and 'I Used to Have It All' were up next. It was like a party atmosphere in the venue and I had never seen so many positive comments on social media after the gig, the whole venue was totally packed out every inch was filled with a body.

Song after song, his performance was faultless; I just kept thinking I couldn't believe he was only 22, a mere boy with a voice like that, pure talent!!! 'They Found Him A Gun', 'Shooting The Stars' and last song of the night was effortless 'Let me Go'.

Highlight of the night for me was crowd pleaser and Sabre's signature song 'I Need', made the hairs stand up everywhere on my whole body, especially my neck. Pure class!

I wouldn't have missed this show for anything, this guy is uber-talented and as Miranda would say 'Amazeballs'.

Do yourself a favour and catch this guy, if you can live, you won't be disappointed.

FUTURE GIGS