On the same line-up as The Boy Who Trapped The Sun at HMV's next big thing festival was the wonderful Alan Pownall. I had been introduced to his music through Ruckus blogger Melanie and had been looking forward to seeing him for some time. I was not to be disappointed as he ran through a wonderful set, with fantastic stage presence and a voice to die for.
Signed to the same label as Noah and the Whale, and having shared a flat with some of Mumford and Sons, this is a boy who comes with great pedigree. His music draws on the folk sounds his mentors are famous for, and yet manages to be original and different at the same time. He has been compared to Jack Johnson but to me he is a far more interesting and rounded artist, with far more strings to his bow than being simply "the British Jack Johnson".
On a freezing cold night in Camden he managed to make me feel like spring was round the corner, with his warm distinctive voice and summer filled melodies. As he breezed though songs such as Chasing Time and The Others I could really feel the crowd warming up to him. Alan spent the set alone on stage, with just himself and his guitar, but the set never felt incomplete, and his masterful guitar playing helped to create well rounded melodies.
This is a boy with hidden depths I feel, as on first listen his upbeat melodies hide some deep and introspective lyrics. Seeing him play a one man show with just his guitar and his voice really helped us to be able to see the other side of Alan Pownall, where he was able to open up his soul a little more to the crowd.
He is definitely one to watch, and I really hope he lives up to the "Next Big Thing" moniker of the festival. I look forward to seeing him play again as he is about to embark on a UK wide tour supporting Angus and Julia Stone . If you get the chance to check him out live then do so, and in the meantime download the free EP from his myspace
