Julian Perretta at the Bush Hall

Julian Perretta at the Bush Hall

20 August, 2009
by: Nuria

I'm leaning against the wall in the intimate confines of Bush Hall, barely able to hear myself think thanks to the wannabes at the DJ decks blasting indie dance tracks as if this were Shoreditch on a Friday. But it's a weeknight and the crowd isn't in the mood to dance aimlessly – they're here solely to see new kid on the block Julian Perretta headline his first show.

I interviewed Perretta the day before and I know how important tonight is for him. Not only is this his first time playing directly to a homegrown fanbase (mainly adolescent girls who saw him open for Girls Aloud or got tipped off by friends and then became loyal subscribers through Myspace and Twitter), but it's essentially his official launch as an artist, with everyone from his management and PR team, to journalists and industry latch-ons, expectant to see if the kid can deliver.

The answer is a resounding 'yes', and it's evident from the first sprightly step he takes onto the tiny stage, instantly placating those frustrated at having waited for nearly two hours (and whose eardrums have been pierced in the process). Plainly dressed in a light blue shirt (conservatively buttoned – sorry, girls) and brown trousers, he's got stage presence – even if some of it is merely down to the fact that his tall frame is punctuated by a striking mop of curly hair (clearly his trademark-to-be, as the adorning banner bearing his name behind the stage features its amplified image).

Perretta dives straight into an uptempo tune, accompanied by a guitarist, bassist, drummer and keyboard player, all of whom are clearly enjoying themselves. A sense of camaraderie comes through as he tussles the guitarist's hair a few times and makes a playful remark about his keyboardist's moustache (one can picture rehearsals being conducted in much the same vein, and it's refreshing to see a good vibe between a solo artist and his back-up band).

After a second song, Julian finally greets the crowd and his fans wax ecstatic. But even the uninitiated can't help smiling and tapping their feet as he launches into another ditty. His songs are not musically complex or even particularly distinctive, but he has a steady, soulful voice that works great on big choruses. He manages to turn a rendition of Girls Aloud's 'Call the Shots' into a poignant ballad, and it's one of the night's highlights.

'Feel Better' and 'Ride My Star', two of the songs available to stream on his Myspace and official website, go down well, as does 'Like I Do', an angsty love song with single potential. Aside from a slower song titled 'Say You Don't Mind' (his mum's favourite, Perretta informs us), all of his material is upbeat, with full, rich sounds and a showtune sing-a-long feel. It lends his live show a lot of momentum, which is further exacerbated by his own excitability. By the end of the show, his shirt is full of sweat patches, and he jokingly observes that he looks like he's just showered. 'How embarrassing!' he muses.

For the requisite encore, Perretta & Co. launch into 'Wonder Why', his upcoming debut single, and those familiar with the infectious anthem play along to the opening riff with plastic kazoos that have been given out beforehand – a great gimmick, I must say. As the song thumps to its end, it genuinely feels like a climax, and Perretta doesn't exit before hi-fiving a slew of fans and thanking everybody. I go from thinking the 20-year-old is a solid singer, to really being won over by his abilities as a performer and feeling he deserves to take off.

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Nuria