Nelly's had quite a year. She's now a global star with celebrity fans and her debut album is still doing great business at the local supermarket. You're not even allowed to knock her these days or you risk being branded a nasty old spoilsport for not embracing her shiny happy, multi-cultural pop mix. Fair enough then, tonight ladies and gentlemen Nelly Furtado is the best thing since sliced….no scratch that, she's merely as good as sliced bread. She too has many slices to her repertoire but like her edible counterpart they all have the same bland flavour.
She could rise above this to the realms of a fresh poppy seeded bloomer or even the dizzy heights of an olive stuffed ciabatta, but not until she gets shot of her backing band. Tonight, all dressed in black overalls, they look as though they've just been on a decorating job and are making a bit of money on the side. They build up the anticipation with a little intro and then the wee lady herself comes bounding out.
Its clear from the off that since her last visit to the UK she's learned a little from a few months on the road. Where she used to sprint around with boundless energy and little else she now exudes genuine presence and keeps the tiresome audience participation to a minimum. Taking advice from her album title 'Whoa Nelly!' she dances and jumps around with much more restraint, focusing on her music and even strapping on a guitar for a while.
She bravely dispenses with the hits, 'Like A Bird' and 'Turn Out The Lights' early on, but playing both her Jokers at the start means the show then limps along with a sense of anti-climax. That said it isn't really her fault, more her 'painting and decorating' band.
They may well give you two nice coats of emulsion but their aimless jamming and turgid attempts at funk rock do little to inspire. It becomes even clearer after Nelly and her DJ run through her version of 'Get Ur Freak On', leaving them to stand and watch in awe.
The one true moment of inspiration in a pretty dull evening it proves that given innovative production and an influx of fresh ideas Nelly's obvious talents could well shine through. Until then she'll remain unremarkable, plain and unbuttered. Now then anyone for a piece of garlic and herb focaccia?
