Alex Vargas at Omeara

23^rd April 2017

Jennifer Sanin

Shot by Matthew Pull

Jennifer Sanin Shot by Matthew Pull

23 April 2017

Alex Vargas, it seems, has only played London a handful of times. Well, as of last night’s gig, this is likely to change very soon. To say the least, the Danish artist’s performance at the Omeara blew every single soul in the crowd away and back again with his eclectic electronic stylings that shamelessly grouped together classical, rock opera, pop, EDM and RnB.

The Danish producer kicked off with some of his strongest numbers, appearing subtly through a misty, deep-purple backdrop with 7 Sins, showcasing not only his vocals but also his multi-instrumentalism as he swapped mics, going from keys to piano to soundboard and back to straight up belting his heart out.

The audience only realised what hit them by the time the singer-songwriter finished his third tune, latest single Shackled Up. Inclosure had Vargas on dry, groovy acoustic guitar accompanying his unbelievably strong and accurately pitched vocal range. It opened up with a sparse but solid intro before the irresistible drop – a structure he adopted very frequently but never failed to impress with.

When Vargas announced in a couple of words the title track of his latest album, Cohere, a respectful silence spread through the room as he performed the flamenco-inspired tune before his stage-mate dropped in with a killer guitar solo – similar to the one in Wear Your Demons Out, this truly sent the song flying into transcendence.

It did seem at times that the music was merely a vehicle to showcase the performer’s immense vocal prowess, which might put off some fans of the EDM genre. However, the occasional moments of respite from singing brought the set together, giving a chance for Vargas’s production and composition skills to shine, notably in the heart-stopping breaks and melodies of Giving Up the Ghost.

By the end, the newcomer could not hide a charming swagger at the room’s intense reaction to his every word. A slight, humble shyness showed through his demeanour but he shed all pretence at the start of every tune in order to give London his absolute best – which he did, and assured everyone eagerly that he would again.

Jennifer Sanin
Photos: Matthew Pull

For further information about Alex Vargas and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Giving Up the Ghost here: