We review Paloma Faith who performed at Dreamland as part of this year’s Margate Summer Series
Published: 11:49, 17 August 2024
Updated: 09:29, 19 August 2024
The last time I saw award-winning singer-songwriter Paloma Faith it was in the middle of a forest at Bedgebury Pinetum and sadly, I had to leave early and missed the end of her set.
So this time, also in Kent, I was determined to see the whole shebang as she visited the county again as part of her latest album tour.
I’ve been a fan for some time, well since the beginning in 2009, and as I made my way to Margate’s vintage fairground, Dreamland, there was a buzz of excitement in the air as I and thousands of others headed to the venue.
The BRIT award winner didn’t disappoint after she came on stage just after 9pm when she belted out her hits like Only Love Can Hurt, Sweet Lullaby, Picking Up The Pieces, Changing and more.
She also performed the classic hit Back to Black midway through the set, which was a wonderful version and tribute to the late Amy Winehouse.
But the talented musician who is currently promoting her most recent album, the Glorification of Sadness, which reached No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart, also performed some of her new hits to the delight of the crowds.
There were a few technical difficulties at the start of the show, but the 43-year-old took it all in her stride and eagerly chatted to fans in the crowd about what she’d been up to and revealed she had just come back from her holidays.
Her charisma, individual style and infectious energy really does connect with her fans and despite the fact that I was Stone Cold Sober, (as I was the designated driver), it was a sheer delight to listen to her infectious spirit, wisdom and quirky views.
There was an eclectic mix of people in the crowds so it just showed me how many different people from all walks of life love her music.
I was lucky enough to be in the VIP area and watching everyone dancing and enjoying her brilliant tunes was a delight, but as two revellers, Dean and Lynn from Whitstable, pointed out, it would have been good to have big screens in the arena as the VIP area is quite a way from the stage and Paloma is very small.
She’s genuinely brilliant at what she does and was on stage for at least an hour-and-a-half which was jam-packed full of her captivating music.
It should also be mentioned before her gig at Dreamland, the crowds were warmed up nicely by fashion expert and TV personality Gok Wan.
The How to Look Good Naked guru did a really fun energetic DJ set on the Scenic Stage and even though he thought Margate’s crowd singing back to him was a little angryish, everyone had fun.
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Lynn Cox