Maverick Sabre // KOKO Camden // 27.10.2011
Hackney born Maverick Sabre is probably best known for his featured vocals on tracks by acts such as Professor Green and Chase & Status. He is often compared to Plan B and could easily pass as his younger brother. Not only do they look similar but both their styles are influenced by grime, hip hop and soul; and this may well be the reason that Maverick was the perfect support act for Plan B's 2010 tour. However, 2011 may be the year that Maverick comes out of Plan B's shadow and is recognised in his own right.
Thursday 27th October, London KOKO was the third night of Maverick's debut UK headline tour 'Lonely are the Brave'. Those of you who are unfamiliar with Maverick could be forgiven for your surprise when he takes to a mic. Contrary to his geezer image Maverick has a reggae tone and music influences are clearly R&B and Folk; the latter perhaps a result of his Irish upbringing.
Maverick has a distinctive voice and it's refreshing to see him carving out some authenticity. He is arguably one of the most talented of his counterparts. The main criticism would be that he needs to start believing it. He ended the night with Professor Green's track Jungle which was baffling as he clearly has a strong enough following to close the night with one of his own songs. The crowd were made up of those who have followed him since his debut EP 'The Travelling Man' and the rest who have already reserved his soon to be released album 'Lonely are the Brave'.
Highlight tracks of the night were 'Sometimes', 'Look what I've Done', 'Let Me Go' and 'I Need'. Maverick listed his influences as Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and Johnny Cash yet performed a cover of Oasis classic 'Wonderwall'. The song is always a crowd pleaser yet Maverick is capable of greater. He has an unassuming persona but has the vocals of an old soul similar to what put Amy Winehouse on the market. Maverick is belting out an Oasis tune when he would clearly be more comfortable in a blues bar. The art of Oasis is that they were masters at self marketing. If Maverick is going to take anything from this band it's to acknowledge his talent and believe his own hype.
