For Those Of Us Who Didn't Indulge In A Whole Day Of Live8
As a venue Notting Hill Arts Club, is small and very, very dark, descending down there at 4pm on the day of live8 was like entering a parallel universe, despite the fact that Hyde park was only 5 minutes down the road. Johnathan Rice is most noted for his song 'So Sweet' which appeared on the much adored teen dramady The O.C, he has one of those warm, aged voices that sounds so much older than the voice that should be coming from a gentleman of his tiny frame, his voice is very much of the US indie ilk, comparisons from Bright Eyes are often made, and not too inappropriately.
His voice warmed the venue, not too loud, not much action apart from the occasional foot stomping session took this stage. This set was very bare and stripped down but his vocal qualities were undeniably great, there really isn't a doubt in my mind he will win over the entire crowd on the nights he is opening for REM.
The short but sweet set was mostly comprised of newer material, avoiding the bigger sounding tracks from his back catalogue as he did not have a full band with him, in any other case Bright Eyes aside, I think the set up of pure acoustics on a day like this would have bored me to tears, but his voice just has this quality, one which warms you to him and draws you in. He's only twenty two years old, and he looks like a little boy, but his voice is one of someone at least double his age, it sounds like it has been through so much, every line has the ability to evoke emotion when sung from his mouth, he seems to actually mean and live the words of his songs, which is a magnificent quality to be able to hear. His two fellow musicians on stage were also brilliant, though only on stage for half the set, Death Valley showcased exacting precision in backing up Johnathans' acoustic and vocal performance whilst shining in their own right at all the right moments.
I was left aching for more, and now feel compelled to see what he would be like in a venue bigger than the NHAC, I left with the feeling that bigger things can only be around the corner from someone with a voice that is even richer in performance than on record. With songs this intimate NHAC was perfect for this artist, the tiny stage and little light not even hindering the raw and stark talent that was on show there, one which you get the sense is only just beginning to emerge.