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LIVE REVIEW
CIAN DUCROT
VICTORY TOUR
NEWCASTLE 14/11/23
Photos and review: David Weddle
On a cold and rainy November evening in Newcastle, a large crowd gathered at the city's historic City Hall. The reason you ask? To see rising star Cian Ducrot perform his debut album 'Victory' to an audience of adoring fans as part of the UK leg of his Victory Tour.
Luckily for the fans who were braving the cold, bakery firm Greggs, which was founded in Gosforth in Newcastle, had partnered up with Cian to provide refreshments to the fans via a kiosk set up outside City Hall.
Luckily for the fans who were braving the cold, bakery firm Greggs, which was founded in Gosforth in Newcastle, had partnered up with Cian to provide refreshments to the fans via a kiosk set up outside City Hall.
Fans have eagerly awaited the singer's visit to Newcastle since the tour was announced. With Cian having played at a much smaller venue in the city in March, it is fantastic to see him back in Newcastle and selling out one of the city's larger venues. A victorious return, you may say.
On the road with Cian is US singer-songwriter Anson Seabra, who has been making his own waves in the music world in particular with his track 'Peter Pan Was Right'. Sitting on stage in front of a keyboard with just a single guitarist to his left, Anson opened up the night with a selection of his best-known tracks.
The unassuming figure on stage took me by surprise with his powerful vocals, which were crammed with energy and emotion. The crowd was certainly not dissatisfied with Cian's choice of opening act, as they were singing along with Anson, who also seemed to enjoy the night as much as the audience.
On the road with Cian is US singer-songwriter Anson Seabra, who has been making his own waves in the music world in particular with his track 'Peter Pan Was Right'. Sitting on stage in front of a keyboard with just a single guitarist to his left, Anson opened up the night with a selection of his best-known tracks.
The unassuming figure on stage took me by surprise with his powerful vocals, which were crammed with energy and emotion. The crowd was certainly not dissatisfied with Cian's choice of opening act, as they were singing along with Anson, who also seemed to enjoy the night as much as the audience.
As the stage crew set up the stage for the main event, the Newcastle audience warmed up their own vocal chords by singing along to the music being played through the PA system, and they were definitely in fine voice.
At 9 p.m., Cian's band made their way to their instruments, and as the lights dimmed and Cian's name was lit up against the dark backdrop, the first dramatic notes of 'Victory' belted out. As the fans screamed with joy, the man of the moment, Cian Ducrot, walked on stage to sing the first song of the night.
Wearing blue jeans, white trainers, and a white t-shirt emblazoned with a yellow crown and the word Victory across the front and the words Dylan's T-Shirt Club written on the back, Cian looked very comfortable in front of the Geordie fans.
Moving straight into 'Mama' Cian was wasting no time in giving the fans the show they had eagerly awaited. Taking just a moment to ask, Newcastle, how ya feeling?' Cian went straight into the stellar hit, 'Heaven'.
A true crowd-pleaser, Cian isn't shy about getting the crowd involved, as he walked off the stage and into the photo pit. He hugged some of the lucky few in the front row before jumping over the barrier and getting right in the middle of the crowd.
Like a long-lost family member returning to the fold, Cian looked like he really enjoyed the connection between the fans and himself. That night, he created unforgettable moments for those who were in that part of the auditorium.
Despite being jostled about, Cian didn't drop a note, which is a very hard thing to do in the circumstances, so hats off to him for that, and kudos to the cameraman who jumped in the crowd with him.
At 9 p.m., Cian's band made their way to their instruments, and as the lights dimmed and Cian's name was lit up against the dark backdrop, the first dramatic notes of 'Victory' belted out. As the fans screamed with joy, the man of the moment, Cian Ducrot, walked on stage to sing the first song of the night.
Wearing blue jeans, white trainers, and a white t-shirt emblazoned with a yellow crown and the word Victory across the front and the words Dylan's T-Shirt Club written on the back, Cian looked very comfortable in front of the Geordie fans.
Moving straight into 'Mama' Cian was wasting no time in giving the fans the show they had eagerly awaited. Taking just a moment to ask, Newcastle, how ya feeling?' Cian went straight into the stellar hit, 'Heaven'.
A true crowd-pleaser, Cian isn't shy about getting the crowd involved, as he walked off the stage and into the photo pit. He hugged some of the lucky few in the front row before jumping over the barrier and getting right in the middle of the crowd.
Like a long-lost family member returning to the fold, Cian looked like he really enjoyed the connection between the fans and himself. That night, he created unforgettable moments for those who were in that part of the auditorium.
Despite being jostled about, Cian didn't drop a note, which is a very hard thing to do in the circumstances, so hats off to him for that, and kudos to the cameraman who jumped in the crowd with him.
Back on stage, Cian welcomed everyone to the Victory Tour and thanked the fans for coming out to the show.
A man of many talents, Cian showed off his musical ability by not only playing the piano on songs like 'All For You', but at one point whipped out a flute, which was a moment of pure joy.
His musical prowess knows no bounds, as he also plays guitar, as was the case with 'How Do You Know?'.
Cian played the entirety of the debut album to an audience that has taken both Cian and the music to their hearts, memorising every word and singing along as one powerful chorus in particular during 'Part Of Me' which saw the audience waving their phone torches in the air, creating an incredibly atmospheric moment as the sea of lights moved in unison to the music.
You would think that with all the singing, the audience would be knackered, but their enthusiasm showed no signs of wavering as Cian had the crowd singing along to the very end.
It was truly a night to remember and a show that I, for one, will not forget any time soon.
A man of many talents, Cian showed off his musical ability by not only playing the piano on songs like 'All For You', but at one point whipped out a flute, which was a moment of pure joy.
His musical prowess knows no bounds, as he also plays guitar, as was the case with 'How Do You Know?'.
Cian played the entirety of the debut album to an audience that has taken both Cian and the music to their hearts, memorising every word and singing along as one powerful chorus in particular during 'Part Of Me' which saw the audience waving their phone torches in the air, creating an incredibly atmospheric moment as the sea of lights moved in unison to the music.
You would think that with all the singing, the audience would be knackered, but their enthusiasm showed no signs of wavering as Cian had the crowd singing along to the very end.
It was truly a night to remember and a show that I, for one, will not forget any time soon.
Cian continues his UK leg of the tour throughout November. Get your tickets here.
17-Nov-23 Sheffield O2 Academy
18-Nov-23 Birmingham O2 Academy
20-Nov-23 Brighton Dome
21-Nov-23 London Eventim Apollo
22-Nov-23 Norwich UEA LCR
26-Nov-23 Bristol O2 Academy
28-Nov-23 Southampton O2 Guildhall29-Nov-23 Manchester Academy
7-Dec-23 Belfast Ulster Hall
8-Dec-23 Belfast Ulster Hall
17-Nov-23 Sheffield O2 Academy
18-Nov-23 Birmingham O2 Academy
20-Nov-23 Brighton Dome
21-Nov-23 London Eventim Apollo
22-Nov-23 Norwich UEA LCR
26-Nov-23 Bristol O2 Academy
28-Nov-23 Southampton O2 Guildhall29-Nov-23 Manchester Academy
7-Dec-23 Belfast Ulster Hall
8-Dec-23 Belfast Ulster Hall