Alex Clare at The Opera House

Photographs by Sarah Rix. 

Phrases like ‘sophomore slump’ or ‘one-hit wonder’ question an act’s odds of repeating previous success. And the skepticism heightens when you are following up one of the biggest songs of 2011. This past Sunday, Alex Clare began his North American mission proving ‘Too Close’ was no fluke. Toronto was the fortunate first stop. 

Opener Taylor Berrett had the optimal amount of charm, next-door appeal and heartwarming croons to woo those gradually filling the venue. Just a guitar to keep him company, Berrett’s set unfortunately soon became background noise to those busy catching up on their Instagram likes. Self-deprecating banter aside, the set highlight was a soulful cover of ‘Blackbird’. Berrett recently signed a major record deal, and fits the profile of an emerging heartthrob. Let’s just hope he doesn’t lose his unassuming ways. 

Despite being million miles away, Toronto seemed like familiar grounds to Alex Clare. “Good to see most of the same faces”, said the bearded Brit. Touring behind the second release Three Hearts, Clare appropriately opened with the album opener ‘Never Let You Go’. His inimitable white soul voice was the real star of the evening. Whether it was the wompy ‘War Rages On’, drum n bass induced ‘Treading Water’, or ballads ‘I Love You’ or ‘Sparks’, Clare’s impressive vocal endurance was an obvious mark of his brilliant artistry.  Strength of his vocals alone had the transformational power of making mediocre songs in set such as ‘Three Hearts’ sound exceptional. After a brief drum’n bass instrumental interlude, the loveable Clare sprinted out in Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. The packed house reciprocated the love, and embraced the affable British talent as one of our own.