21 November 2017 (gig)
23 November 2017
There's something timeless about the polite ripple of applause that greets the first bar of Cornerstone, from Benjamin Clementine's 2015 debut album, At Least for Now. It's the type of acclaim his hero, Jacques Brel revelled in decades ago and made the Belgian chanteur's live recordings so special.
Not thrown by such early outpouring of appreciation, Clementine is in complete control. Right from the beginning, when latecomers to the hexagonal Berliner Philharmonie are jovially picked out and told to take their time.
With a child mannequin in his arms, barefooted Clementine sings Jupiter a capella from his second album, I Tell A Fly, as he prowls the awkwardly shaped stage. It's a world away from the Paris underpasses and packed Metro trains where the singer-songwriter began performing.
Tonight, the 28-year-old, who has recently collaborated with Gorillaz, is not only in complete control of his audience, but his art. Not that he likes that word, refusing to call his accompanying troupe of mannequins "art", but just reminders of a time when he was ignored by Parisian passers-by.
Thankfully, tonight's performance is not about anything other than Clementine's dexterity at the piano and a voice which could reach well beyond Berlin's nearby Tiergarten.
The Mercury Prize winner blends the new, such as the brilliant God Save the Jungle and moving By the Ports of Europe, with the not-so-new. Saved for near the end of the set, the stirring London is both faithful and adventurous.
An electric bass, played by Axel Ekermann, is a welcome addition to proceedings, with Clementine's deft drummer since the beginning, Alexis Bossard, continuing to drive the trio forward. Both musicians play a supporting role in more ways than one, taking off on vocal ambles around the stage - a refreshing move that brings fluidity and, at times, comedy to the set.
It's the third time I've seen Clementine live. The first time was in a church. The second, a courtyard. Each time, he outperforms his venue.
Concerts across the UK, including at London's Brixton Academy, are next on the agenda for Edmonton's finest export.
For info, head here: http://benjaminclementine.com/performance/
