Yael Naїm in concert at the Berns Salonger in Stockholm

Sun 14 Dec – Yael Naim

With the sounds of Lucia still in their ears an audience of around 300 people came to together in the city's Berns Salonger to listen to, be entertained and celebrate with the musical world's 'New Soul' Yael Naїm.



The singer and songwriter from Israel, though born and now again living and working in Paris, has only this year made her break through with her uplifting song 'New Soul', which has been used in the Macbook Air Advertisement, and the release of her new album. Her music, sung in English, French as well as Hebrew is a combination of vocal jazz, pop, folk and melancholic ballads.



This dark winter night the artist managed to warm up her audience with her poetic song writing; inviting us on a journey through the stages of her emotional life and career as a singer. Even if unable to understand her Hebrew lyrics, the musical talent and almost intoxicating vibrancy of her performance did not leave the audience outside, but invited to join her 'beautiful mess inside' as she sings in her song "Far Far".



New Soul, Far Far, Lonely, Paris, Yashanti, as well as her almost wild performance of Britney Spears' song Toxic were some of the pieces performed from her album. In addition the artist sang a number of lesser known songs from her huge private repertoire, such as 'The game is over for mon cœur'', again showing her multilingual approach, as she changes within every verse between the English and French language. As she accompanied herself on the piano and guitar, she was supported by David Donatien on the drums and percussions, Xavier Tribolet on the harmonica and keyboard as well as Laurent David on the bass guitar. Her own musical performance was impeccable as was the one of her fellow musicians, playing each other's instruments comfortably, together like a family with seemingly endless energy and obvious enjoyment and pleasure.



Colourful clothing was reminiscent of the Icelandic singer Björk, her energetic and perfectionist style of performance conjures up Nina Simone in concert and her musical tendency of Norah Jones or Tori Amos. Naїm was not afraid to expose herself through her music, singing emotionally laden songs in a frame of beautifully performed music. She showed no fear to let her hair down in front the audience, comfortably kicking her shoes off towards the end of the performance and inviting to join in to her music with clapping and singing.



After standing ovations and two encores Yael Naїm lead her audience to sing the final accords of 'New Soul', letting us take home her beautiful music and energy into the frosty clear Scandinavian pre Christmas night.



Anna Blume

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