Caught Live: Leona Lewis Hackney Empire London

Published by djmick on November 10th, 2009

Leona Lewis Hackney Empire London

Leona Lewis performed her first ever full-length concert last Monday night, performing on familiar territory in the east London neighborhood where she grew up.

She has performed live in the past, but limited herself to singing just a few songs as she developed the material needed for a full-length show.

Lewis told the packed house at the Hackney Empire that it was “fitting” for her to be make her full-length live debut in her hometown. She said she had first performed on that stage when she was 13.

She showcased numbers from her upcoming second album “Echo,” which features R&B song “Whatever It Takes,” ballads such as the new single “Happy” and even a thumping dance tune called “Outta My Head.”

She also performed two powerful cover versions, the classic ballad “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and Snow Patrol’s song “Run,” which ended the concert with silver confetti falling down on the stage.