GAVIN JAMES HOTPRESS.COM TAKEOVER: Review + pics from his Whelan's gig

Our woman Alene Bouranova was down front for Gav’s gig last night in Whelan’s which, to paraphrase Phil Lynott, was so hot it was steaming!
Here’s her verdict and a quality bunch of [link]hotpress.com/photos/photo_st.php?id=16294379[/link] pictures from the lens of Owen Humphreys.
As anyone who’s been to Whelan’s knows, the venue fills up quickly. This is especially true of tonight’s gig; it’s ten minutes til showtime and we’re packed in like sardines waiting for the velvet-voiced Dubliner to take the stage.
It’s a sweaty setting for an acoustic set but the crowd is undeterred. Mr. James starts at 9:45 on the dot (thanks, Gav!), quickly greeting the crowd before launching into ‘Till The Sun Comes Up.’ That voice of his - a sound so pure it’s almost unreal - is so transfixing that we all temporarily forget we’re melting. But as soon as the song is over the blistering reality sets in for all of us: “It’s gonna be hot and sweaty,” he acknowledges with a chuckle. “I’m honestly too ginger, I’m gonna burn like a motherfucker.”
Next is ‘Hole In My Heart,’ which produces a sing-along so rousing that campfires everywhere are surely jealous. Armed with just a guitar, Gav is clearly in his element. He’s got a great rapport with the crowd; he cracks self-deprecating jokes all night and interacts with hecklers, ensuring that the set is full of laughs. “I think the last time I did that at Whelan’s my jeans ripped getting back on stage!” he reveals after stepping into the audience for a cover of Ray Charles’ ‘You Don’t Know Me. ’
The night features appearances from many a famous friend. Fresh from supporting Kodaline over the weekend, Gabrielle Aplin and Hudson Taylor join Gav onstage, where he immediately knocks over a table’s worth of glasses (oops). “It’s grand!” he says laughing. Post-cleanup, the four unite for a harmonious cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River.’ Miss Aplin returns later on to help sing ‘Nervous,’ her smoky voice blending perfectly with Gav’s. Mates Marc Scibilia and Craig Gallagher also appear, ending the night with a jammed-out version of Springsteen's classic ‘Dancing In The Dark.’
Covers aside, Mr. James’ own tracks are as lovely as expected. Bitter Pill favourites ‘Book Of Love’ and ‘22’ are beautifully done, as is the haunting ‘For You.’ The single threat to this emotional atmosphere is rogue perspiration: “I might close my eyes like it’s all emotional but it’s really 'cos I have no eyebrows 'cos I’m ginger,” he explains, only slightly killing the mood.
Before he leaves the stage someone yells out, “Gavin, you’re a legend!”
We couldn’t agree more.

You can order the Hot Press Christmas Special with Gavin on the cover from [link]hotpress.com/shop/shop.php?product_id=15837629[/link]