Review: Alexander 23 in Manchester

 

☆ By Grace Dodd ☆

 
 

On a peaceful Sunday night in Manchester, pop artist Alexander23 takes center stage before a small crowd of dedicated fans. Known for his melancholic soft pop hits, Alexander23 proves himself on stage to be a gifted guitarist, talented vocalist and endearing performer, the young musician offers an evening of bright, colourful performances, certifying himself to be so much more than the TikTok sensation many will know him as. 

Unexpectedly, the young musician builds his often small, charming pop songs into huge masterpieces which build and crescendo on stage like waves. ‘High School’ and ‘Dirty AF1s’ start simply, almost acapella vocals paired with connotative blue lights. But soon they are both building into huge symphonic masterpieces. There could be, and should be, a full orchestra on stage behind the beloved boy-next-door, these gentle songs beautifully exploding on stage. There is a quiet confidence from Alexander23 here. A confidence to take these songs, some of the most successful he’s released, and transform them on stage to huge orchestral gems. And this confidence, this risk almost, completely pays off. These originally small melodies, which could feel quite 2D and unremarkable, metamorphosise to memorable high points of the show. 

At one point, the musician daringly slides in One Direction’s “Night Changes”. This is somewhat of a risk, referencing an artist his music so closely aligns with, but it’s sweet, charming, it just about works. If he had done the whole cover, it certainly would have lost its charm. His later cover of Kelly Clarkson’s booming ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ takes the same endearing, ‘karaoke’ approach. The young musician is self-aware enough to know his vocals don’t align with Clarkson’s powerhouse, but the cover is pleasantly unexpected, joyful, bright. 

Despite his lyrics being pungently emotional, Alexander23 doesn’t take himself seriously. It would be so easy to place him on a stool with a spotlight and an acoustic guitar and have the crowd in tears four songs in. But Alexander23 is young, vibrant, he jokes with the audience about loving garlic bread, he graciously accepts the gift of a handmade necklace from an audience member, it’s clear how well he loves his band and how much he simply enjoys playing with them. He comes across as humble but never boring, a colourful boy next door without the typical cheese.

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