22 Mar Live Review: ROX at Dingwalls, London

Thursday night at Dingwall’s in Camden saw soulstress Rox Tataei play the London date of her first headlining UK tour.  It was a sold out show as hundreds of punters squeezed into the relatively cosy venue to watch one of 2010’s brightest rising stars, Rox having been tipped for greatness by everyone from the BBC to the Broadsheets. The supporting acts, Ghost Poet and Liam Bailey, were more than up to the task of opening such a prestigious show.  Both these artists are personal friends of Rox and come highly recommended for big things by the lady herself.  First up was the ever-so slightly eccentric Ghost Poet with his quirky musings over rock/Hip Hop rhythms.  He was swiftly followed by Liam and his acoustic trio.  Bailey is a revelation; an adroit songwriter with an appealing, scratchy Marley-esque vocal mixed in with phraseology and chord progressions reminiscent of Sam Cooke.  Something of an old soul, Bailey’s voice alone could tell a thousand stories without articulating a lyric. By the end of his blinding set he had the audience eating out of his hand and rightly so; he very nearly stole the limelight. However once Rox was on stage - all smoky almond eyes, scandalously red pout and looking like a petite 21st century Nefertiti - there was no question why so many have faith in this young lady’s abilities.