David Gray Past and Present Tour at London’s Royal Albert Hall review: Rave on

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I’ve grown quite fond of the Royal Albert Hall – it’s been my go-to venue for a while now. I’ve attended several concerts there over the past few years, and each one has left me in awe. While it’s known for its classic music roots, it welcomes artists from all genres. Just recently, The Who and the Sex Pistols graced its stage.

The Royal Albert Hall is a venue I really enjoy visiting because of the fantastic concerts I’ve attended there. Although it’s famous for classical music, it hosts a variety of artists. In the past few weeks, The Who and the Sex Pistols performed there.

In this venue, you’ll consistently enjoy superior sound quality and a clear view of the stage. Plus, an added bonus: the seats rotate slightly, allowing for a direct view of the stage. It may seem like small details, but they make a big difference. Despite its expansive size, it manages to retain an inviting and intimate atmosphere, in stark contrast to larger arenas.

It seems as though all these elements come together to showcase an artist at their finest. The occasion I attended was none other than David Gray’s “Past And Present Tour” held at the famous venue on April 3, 2025. Needless to say, he lived up to expectations and left the crowd in a state of excitement.

In January, Gray unveiled his newest album titled “Dear Life,” which showcased a surge of productive and radiant songwriting for him. He was moving forward from the COVID-19 period by completing incomplete songs and crafting new ones. The concert felt like an immediate reflection of the tour itself. Despite his extensive collection of strong tracks, Gray effortlessly delved into the past during the two-hour performance, showcasing it with equal brilliance.

David Gray at the Royal Albert Hall, London

During the performance, the new tunes sounded fantastic, as Gray had accompanied a six-piece brass group for the event, enhancing the live experience in multiple ways. I was taken aback by the numerous musicians on stage at certain moments. Gray’s band consisted of five members, frequently exchanging instruments and occasionally joining or departing.

Joining them as the opening act was Taliah Rae, who collaborated on several tracks including their recent album hit “Plus And Minus.” The stage was bustling at times, but Rae proved to be a fitting choice for the role. Not only did she authentically perform the song with Gray, but her individual set also left an impression.

She possesses a strong and moving vocal ability, and her tunes are quite captivating. A rendition of “Purple Rain” during her performance showcased her skill and promise. Rae might be an artist to keep an eye on if the attention from her single and tour finds its way to influential ears.

Returning to Gray and his musical group, the lead vocalist frequently switched among various tunes, cycling through a few acoustic guitars, an electric one, and his keyboards. At times, his signature bobbing or swaying head moved at a fast pace as he transitioned from the slower songs to the more energetic ones.

During the performance, his band maintained a certain enigmatic quality since he didn’t introduce himself. Later on, I felt compelled to explore more about their exceptional drummer and percussionist, who turned out to be Craig McClune. This man was nothing short of spectacular, demonstrating immense energy with his drumsticks and finesse with soft brushes when required. At times, he reminded me of the legendary Ray Cooper.

Rave on with Gray in London

During the evening, an especially exhilarating moment stood out early on as Gray performed “Please Forgive Me.” The hall transformed into a wild rave in luxurious surroundings, with the audience losing themselves in the song’s energy and its pulsating electro rhythm. With Gray egging them on, the crowd erupted into a frenzy of excitement for several minutes, seemingly spontaneously.

Other memorable instances ensued, filled with active audience involvement, an impressive song selection, and some fan favorites to conclude. “Babylon” marked the exit, “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” initiated the encore, and a rendition of Van Morrison’s “The Way Young Lovers Do.” As is customary for Gray, he mixed up the setlist and the sequence, but these songs are his usual finales on this tour. With “Sail Away,” we were treated to a communal sing-along that concluded an excellent performance.

His tour spans across the UK, Ireland, Europe, and continues until May, with a short break in late summer. Afterward, he’ll journey to Australia in November, following earlier US performances this year. He’s been quite ambitious with his tour to support the Dear Life album, and it seems like he’s enjoying every moment himself, as evidenced by a recent Instagram post after his Royal Albert Hall concert.

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2025-04-05 20:00