Untidy Soul

24th February 2022

So I’ll be completely transparent, I bought a ticket to see Samm Henshaw because Kwaku Asante was supporting him. You can read my review of his support act here. But I listened to Untidy Soul multiple times in the lead up to the concert and thoroughly enjoyed it. I can definitely see it being a top soul release of the year. O2 Shepherd’s Bush is a venue I’ve been to quite often, I can’t remember when I was that close to the stage, only managed second row but the view was still spectacular.

The stage went pitch black as we heard strings introduce Samm on stage. The crowd was cheering, we were all incredibly excited. The stage lit up and we saw his band playing. They began to play Thoughts and Prayers as Samm walked on in an oversized suit holding a red briefcase just like the one in the album cover. Green curtains dressed the stage and lights below his band lit Samm up as he sang and swayed, tapping cymbals tapping through the chorus. He asked us how we’re feeling and we cheered, he asked us again, “I said, London, how we feeling?” and we cheered even louder. He launched into How Does It Feel, which was the first song I’d ever heard by him, we were all joining in on the chorus. He walked around the stage with a delayed bounce to the rhythm. Up next we had It Won’t Change, the first verse he spent at the mic stand before walking and bouncing across the stage as the chorus hit, then back to the stand for the second verse. Towards the end of the song he vocalised “it’ll never change” hitting some soulful riffs before jumping into the final chorus and bringing the song to a close.

While his band played he said it was lovely to meet us all and that he didn’t have any requests, just have a good time and that “if you came here with some worries or some problems or some issues, leave that outside” and that tonight we’re just gonna have a good time and vibe together. “If you think you are too cool to be here, I respectfully ask that you leave, I don’t want no one here to act like they’re too cool, too boujie or whatever to be at this show. We’re gonna have a really fun time,” he says as we all cheer him on. World Is Mine came on, started with the drums and his soulful voice in the spotlight. When the chorus came on, strip lights above the band flashed from left to right. Chicken Wings came on next, definitely one of our favourites. He danced across the stage and we all sang along to the chorus, honestly this song was made to be performed.

Mr Introvert took to the stage next, his soulful vocals carried this all the way from beginning to end of the first chorus, then he launched into 8:16 as the Incredible Bongo Band sample sounded the stage and he launched into the song, we heard more of the keys and his singing here was incredible. You could hear the emotion in his voice as his powerful vocals took up the entire venue. Then he thanked us said he’s gonna “chat so much rubbish ‘cos I’m really nervous” bless him, I hope he knows he was doing a fantastic job.

He took us to East Detroit, one of my favourites on the album. He poured his heart out to us, the performance felt so sincere and emotional. A couple choruses later and the band was really pulling out all the stops, the drums building up for a big finish before the song ended. Next we had Take Time, another fan favourite, sounded beautiful as ever while he while we sprang across the stage and we sung our hearts out.

He took it back to the Sound Experiment days, his band exited the stage and he put on an electric guitar. This performance of Night Calls was spellbinding, a lot of the crowd went quiet in awe. A single spotlight shone on him, this was such a memorable moment. I began to feel so lucky to see him in concert because I really see that he’s got the potential to be a soul legend way down the line. He’s definitely the best we’ve got in the UK right now. Next the runners wheeled out an old fashioned looking keyboard of some kind. He asked if he could “keep this Sound Experiment train rolling,” and of course we said yes. He played the keys a little and everyone started to cheer, “sounds like you know what song this is” he proclaimed. Only Wanna Be With You felt stripped down and intimate, one of the highlights of the night.

The band returned for Mr Introvert (Reprise) while Samm went off stage and got changed. He came back for Loved By You with a snapback and t-shirt on. This is another one of my favourite songs of his, let me say, a Samm Henshaw concert makes a fantastic date night. Whenever he sings about love it comes straight from the heart and you feel warmth all around you. Grow was up next, he did his little dance-y walk across the stage, his lively energy channeling through his walk and his voice. This is going to be a classic one day, I’ll tell you that right now.

The Keyon - Interlude played while Samm took a break for some water. Then he jumped into Still Broke, the stage turned blue as Samm did what he does best. The crowd was thoroughly enjoying themselves as was he. We sang some whoas per his request and he said we could do better than that so we did. Crowd participation is always going to be a given at Samm’s shows regardless as to whether he commands us to or not, because we’re already singing all the words at high volumes. Next he performed Broke, taking it back to 2018. Samm’s sound has always been consistent and it shows in his performance. I think this song has a lot of relatability factor, because a lot of us wish we could do better financially for us and our partners, we just don’t have the means. Waterbreak plays as security guards hand out cups of water. Next we’ve got Enough, and Samm is definitely more than. The stage is pink and blue, he vocalises with strength and soul as we sing the chorus.

Then he takes us to Church, twice in fact. “If you’re sitting down, get up.” This is arguably one of the best moments of the night. The crowd’s jumping, he’s jumping, everyone’s having a great time. There’s so much energy all around. He forgets the lyrics to the second verse but not to worry as he wheels the track back once we’re done for a second performance. Everyone loves this song so much, the audience even knows the word’s to EARTHGANG’s verses.The band comes even harder this time, the energy is enough to bring the house down. Every single person the room is stood up and having a good time even those on the balcony tiers. He paused the show after to thank his parents who were there at the show, which I thought was so sweet.

Doubt comes on for a change of pace and it felt like a real moment of unity, he reassured us that “everything was gonna be alright.” A lot of the crowd knew Wretch 32’s verse too. Here I noticed that as the show was coming to an end, the band went even harder. He introduced his band to us, one member who really stood out to me was the guy on keys. You could see how much he was enjoying Samm’s performance himself, he looked ecstatic. Samm talked about his journey with God and how he’s found happiness in God before concluding the concert by filling the room with Joy. He mentioned how he thought walking off the stage for an encore and coming back was stupid to which we chuckled. A show stopping performance, happiness took up the venue. We sang along with him when he asked “How great is our God?” He said that him singing that had nothing to do with him and that it was regarding that there’s something bigger than him and everyone. It felt like such a blessing to experience it all, despite the fact I’m not religious. He really didn’t want to leave the stage, you could tell he would’ve sang to us all night if there wasn’t a curfew.

The overall experience was fantastic. His debut album, Untidy Soul is phenomenal. Like I mentioned, he’s definitely the best UK soul artist we’ve got right now. I feel like there were a lot of young people in the crowd but also older people in the balcony seats. He appeals to all ages, his music is so universally enjoyable. As I was leaving the concert I overheard a girl say, “My man turned the concert into church, on a Thursday,” that he absolutely did, and the crowd loved every moment of it.