LIVE REVIEW ::: ED SHEERAN & THE MILK ::: MALLORCA ROCKS

Last Tuesday saw the opening of the Mallorca Rocks 2012 season and the opening party kicked things off in style. Now in it’s second year based at the Mallorca Rocks hotel in Magaluf, Mallorca Rocks is set to be a popular destination for many music lovers this Summer with a number of top UK acts taking to the open air stage.

Kicking things off was 4 piece Essex band The Milk who informed the crowd that they would be playing “with no breaks, no DJ’s, just straight music”. Recently signed to Sony (Sign of the Times), it’s clear to see why the likes of Mistajam (Radio 1Xtra) and Fearne Cotton (BBC Radio 1) are championing their music on their radio shows. Electric-performers with bags of personality that shone through. Each song they warmed up the crowd nicely performing their tracks such as ‘B-Roads’ ‘Aint No Love’ and ‘Broke Up The Family’. As they wrapped up their 30 minute set with a performance of their new single ‘Everytime We Fight’ (released 24th June), the crowd was reaching capacity and this finale created a wonderful festival type atmosphere. The Milk proved to be the perfect choice to open such a momentous night.

With a now packed crowd, a VIP area at full capacity and stage view apartment balconies around the complex filled to the brim with guests, man of the moment Ed Sheeran took to the stage. After stating that he was happy to be in Mallorca, Ed went on to explain that his job for the next hour and half was to entertain and he did just that kicking off his set with ‘Grade 8′.

Despite performing for the last few months in the US as support on the Snow Patrol tour, Ed explained that this was the first time since March that he was doing a full solo set. As he went through hit songs from his now quadruple platinum selling album ‘+’, you could sense that he was loving every minute of it.

Given the location and the notorious party atmosphere it’s no surprise that his performance of ‘Drunk’ was a crowd favourite. Branded Mallorca Rocks and Fosters plastic cups full of beer were raised in the air with the audience swaying their arms in unison and singing along with every word.

Explaining that some of his songs required silence, Ed performed ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ by Jamie Woon using his loop pedal to full effect. You could hear a pin drop as he belted out this emotive cover as well as other mellow tracks such as ‘Small Bump’ and ‘Kiss Me’. To see him command the attention of a notoriously rowdy crowd was a real reflection of how much respect this rising star of UK music has from his audiences.

The tempo was upped with tracks such as ‘The A Team’, ‘You Need Me, I Don’t Need You’ ‘Lego House’, a cover of Nina Simone’s ‘Feeling Good’ and even a random introduction of KRS One ‘Sound of da Police’ all being performed to rave reception.

One of the memorable moments of any Ed Sheeran gig has to be the crowd participation during ‘Give Me Love’. Splitting the crowd into 2 parts who then acted as a gospel harmony choir was nothing short of epic! The crowd were in full voice and the harmonies of the ‘choir’ as Ed ended his set with a gritty voiced acapella were as strong as when he’d got them started.

With tropical weather, a star filled balearic sky, sunkissed bodies everywhere, a great party atmosphere and two amazing acts kicking off the season it’s fair to say that this opening night event will go down in Mallorca Rocks history.

For more information on the rest of the Summer lineup at Mallorca Rocks as well as tickets and accommodation head over to: www.mallorcarocks.com

Written by Ben Anderson (Twitter: @Ben_D_A)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

The Milk – @Thisisthemilk / Facebook.com/Thisisthemilk / www.thisisthemilk.com

Mallorca Rocks – @MallorcaRocks / facebook.com/MallorcaRocks / www.mallorcarocks.com

Ed Sheeran – @EdSheeran / facebook.com/EdSheeranMusic / www.edsheeran.com