(By: Angela McLean)
His debut single is called “Dancing on My Own,” but at Calum Scott’s first-ever Canadian show in Toronto, he certainly was not dancing alone. Around 500 fans and local family members packed the Mod Club Theatre on Nov. 14 to catch one of music’s hottest rising stars perform his hits and several new, unreleased tracks.
You may recognize the British singer/songwriter from his run on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015. Although he didn’t win the grand prize, Scott was a standout contestant and his audition song, a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own,” caught the world’s attention. It earned him a record deal with Capitol Records and became his debut single, peaking at number two on the U.K. Official Singles Chart this past summer. Now, Scott is branching away from the covers and showcasing his own bonafide pop/soul sound.
Scott kicked things off in Toronto with “Come Back Home,” a track that acts as a call out to an ex to come back home and give him a second chance. In between each new song on the set list, Scott took a moment to explain the story behind the lyrics. He said that “Won’t Let You Down,” a slower and more lyrically vulnerable track, is dedicated to his sister Jade. Another song, “If Our Love Is Wrong,” is about a conversation he dreaded having for a long time but ultimately brought him a great sense of relief, which was relived in writing the song.
#Toronto, say hello to @calumscott! #ComeBackHome pic.twitter.com/jEoLuLgTF4
— RUtv News (@RUtvNews) November 15, 2016
The crowd’s reception to the new material was incredible, with fans quickly picking up each song’s lyrics and singing them back to Scott. “My face hurts so much from smiling,” he exclaimed at one point during the show.
Who did it better: @edsheeran or @calumscott tonight in #Toronto? pic.twitter.com/ju8Egmq18H
— RUtv News (@RUtvNews) November 15, 2016
Of course, it wouldn’t be a show without a few cover songs. Scott performed “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles and a particularly beautiful rendition of “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran back-to-back. But he saved the biggest for last by bringing the house down one last time with “Dancing on My Own,” the song that truly changed his life.
.@calumscott had to end things with the song that changed his life, his cover of "Dancing on My Own." 👏🏻 Thanks for blessing #Toronto! pic.twitter.com/cAt7e7vobE
— RUtv News (@RUtvNews) November 15, 2016
Supporting Scott at this Toronto show was local artist Levi Randall, a.k.a. VACAY. The talented indie pop singer/songwriter performed songs like his debut single “The Other Side” and new release “Moving You,” both highlighting his impeccable vocals and proving that he was the perfect choice to perform with Scott. (You heard it here first: we may or may not have overheard the two talking about keeping in touch after the show…)
Don't leave @VACAYMUSIC in the dark! He's opening for Calum Scott right now in #Toronto. pic.twitter.com/YUdLi4Ko7M
— RUtv News (@RUtvNews) November 15, 2016
Scott’s new single “Rhythm Inside” drops Nov. 25. With a debut album surely not far out, we look forward to seeing him back on stage in Toronto soon!
Spoiler alert: @calumscott has new original music coming out very soon!! Here's "Rhythm Inside." #Toronto pic.twitter.com/rNjSdERIaP
— RUtv News (@RUtvNews) November 15, 2016
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