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Regina Spektor

Sitting in the Manchester Apollo Theatre, waiting for Regina Spektor to grace the stage with her presence it is clear that her music appeals to a wide array of people. From the young teenage couple sitting in front excitedly anticipating the performance and taking photos of each other (who are thrown out before Regina Spektor even comes onto the stage, for being too drunk) to the 60 year old man and woman sat across, patiently waiting for the beautiful melodies to begin.

The support came from the talented Jenny Owen Youngs. Walking out onto the stage with just a microphone and acoustic guitar I feared we were in for half an hour of dull folk music that has been done a hundred times before. I was however, pleasantly surprised. Taking inspiration from the great female singer/songwriters of the past few years, Youngs writes lyrics that can make you laugh and cry in the same song.

Shortly after the departure of the teenagers sitting in front Regina Spektor takes the stage. Dressed in one of her many tea dresses and statement red lipstick, she takes her place at the beautiful grand piano and begins with one of the more upbeat songs from the new album, The Calculation. Immediately people begin to tap their feet along to the infectious beat running through the theatre. She begins with three songs taken from the new album before returning to earlier times with Ode to Divorce and later Sailor Song from the debut album. Even when she later plays two songs which are unknown to the majority of the audience, she still manages to grab their attention and have them holding onto every word. Spekor also manages to sing one of the unknown songs without the aid of any instrument at all which is something that is not often attempted by even the biggest of artists, yet still she manages to sound beautiful and hypnotic.

It is clear that Spektor really does enjoy making and performing music and seems almost embarrassed to receive such great applause after each song. Her love of music is what makes her so incredible to watch, and I personally hope that she doesn’t stop doing what she does best any time in the near future.