will.I.am, Royal Albert Hall, gig review: Pulsating beats, effortless charm and Ricky Wilson
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Will.I.am gets straight to business with three big tunes, opening with the Coldplay-esque stadium-filler “This Is Love”, before dropping 2014’s “It’s My Birthday” and introducing Lydia Lucy, a finalist from his team on the latest series of The Voice, for the pulsating beats of 2013’s “Feelin’ Myself”. It’s a strong opening and will.I.am does his best to share himself around the 360-degree stage in the centre of the Royal Albert Hall. There’s a brief blip in proceedings when Ricky Wilson, of Kaiser Chiefs and The Voice fame, guest performs “I Predict A Riot”, and due to what must have been a technical glitch is completely out of time. And there’s still time for his effortless charm to shine through, as he hilariously carries on improvising, rapping “drop this elevator – peace out” while trying to exit the stage through three separate trap doors that just won’t play ball.
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Album: Will.I.am, #willpower (Interscope)
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