It’s been interesting to watch the transformation of Tom A Smith over the past year or so as he’s moved from boy-hood towards man-hood.   Demonstrating a musical package that is more outwardly confident, Smith’s loud shirts and stylish haircuts demonstrate growth in one way – his funky, more swaggering, musical output show change in others.  Perhaps as a consequence, the sold-out Cluny demonstrates Smith’s changing demographics; the middle age musical enthusiasts are still there but there’s a much younger, cooler, crowd starting to emerge – it appears Smith is winning over the younger, poppier, audience.

Arriving to a well warmed up audience (support band Hunny Buzz produce a great lo-fi indie pop  welcome, and the 80’s funk/pop playlist sets a solid tone), Smith uses the crowd’s energy to produce a fun, poppy, show; complete with rock star shapes and poses.   Whereas he used to cling onto his guitar, the instrument is seldom picked up by Smith now as he morphs further into a dedicated frontman – confident to engage with his audience and groove to the bass-heavy output of his 4 piece band.   An 80’s synth soundscape dominates the show, thanks to the introduction of new, poppier, songs as well as the reimaging of older tunes which are extended in places and given stronger rhythm sections in others.  “What?” and “SFX” stand out thanks to their Talking-Heads, New-Wave, grooves though it’s “Toronto” with special guest Rowetta which steals the show tonight- both for its statement of intent as well as it’s musical delivery. 

It may have taken him ten years or so to become an overnight success, but given the amount of stage-craft, song-writing and guitar-skills already in his locker – there’s a serious new contender on the scene.