You may remember him as one third of British R&B boyband Fun*dmental (or FDM as they were later known), now Varren Wade is stepping out on his own as he embarks on his solo career. And with last year’s Queen-sampled single “Rock ‘n’ Roll” garnering a positive reception, the singer-songwriter seems like a natural going it alone.
On Monday night, US R&B star Miguel took to the stage at North London's Kentish Town Forum much to the delight of the mostly female capacity crowd. Before he emerged, a strong lineup of homegrown supporting acts all had their own chances to shine, warming up the crowd with performances of varying quality. The queue outside tailed around the venue and onto surrounding streets, and anticipation was high for 26-year-old Miguel's first UK show.
London born Cherri V has been tipped by some as the female NeYo, describing her sound as “R&B–pop.” Writing all her own tracks the young songstress has been on the scene since as far back as 2005 when she was part of R&B trio Trinity Stone.
Although music was always a part of her family, what with her mother and aunt (soul legend Mica Paris) both part of the industry, Cherri reveals that her first foray into the performing arts came in the form of dance, having embarked on her first professional tour at the age of 16. Dancing is, evidently still very important to Cherri, responding to probes about what she would do if she were not a singer with the suggestion that she would perhaps teach choreography to younger children. “I’d still be part of entertainment,” she ascertains confidently.