Live Gig Review: FINK at the Roundhouse, Camden

Picture by Russell Groom

It's almost as if the Roundhouse was designed to host a FINK gig. I think the best word to describe the venue would be an arena, its roundness engulfing the audience. This style of venue perfectly suited the atmospheric performance. The room, the lights, the stage equipment and the music itself all worked together to suck us in.

I'll be the first to admit that I am by no means a massive FINK fan. My ticket to this performance had actually been bought for me by a friend without my knowledge (my payment being I let him sleep on my floor that night.) Before this performance, I would have described myself as a surface level fan. I had listened to a few of his songs, but the one that I repeated listened to was "Shakespeare", particularly his acoustic performance of it on the streets of Paris; I would recommend to anyone to listen to this rendition.

What I enjoyed about this track was the emotion and the way it draws you in; you empathise with him so much (I'm sure we all questioned why we were taught Shakespeare at 16 years old.) From going to his gig, I felt this feeling in abundance.

What I'm about to say may sound like the experience of a terrible gig to some, but to me it demonstrates how brilliant it was: I stood throughout the entire performance, barely moving. As I say, to some this may sound boring. However, to me, I feel like I truly experience the music. I was completely transfixed on everything he did. It was a similar experience to being sat in my room with my headphones, along with my peace of mind.

Quite frankly, for an artist to give me this feeling when in a large room, surrounded by hundreds of people, is something quite remarkable. I was completely swept away.

Unfortunately, he didn't play my favourite song, but he did give me another one. After he finished his performance and the inevitable encore came, FINK came back on stage and played "Walking in the Sun".

The reverb drenched guitar began to fill the room, soon joined by his smooth vocals and just like that, I was transported to those same streets of Paris, walking in the sun. This was a feeling I can only describe as bliss and I cannot wait to experience it again.