John Grant @ Portsmouth Guildhall

John Grant returned to the Portsmouth Guildhall last week to deliver a performance that was equal parts theatrical, vulnerable and sonically commanding. A reminder that few artists balance humour and heartbreak with such disarming ease. Grant is an artist that truly can’t be boxed into one single genre. This was reflected by his set choices which flitted between solo performances of Grant’s very personal, piano-led ballads – where the rest of the band sat side of stage and watched him play piano whilst drinking wine – and some of Grant’s more synth and rock-heavy numbers involving all five men on stage.

Opening with brooding, synth-heavy number, ‘That’s the Good News’, from his debut record, Grant immediately set a tone that felt darker and more electronic than some might have expected, leaning into the colder textures of his material. This feeling shifted mid-set when tracks like ‘Black Belt’ and ‘Marz’ were played – that warm, baritone voice, rich with wit and melancholy, filled the room and brought a palpable emotional connection between artist and audience. His vocal control was extraordinary, gliding effortlessly from dry spoken delivery to soaring, operatic peaks.

What makes John Grant such a compelling live performer is his unpredictability. Between songs, he disarmed the room with sardonic humour and casual confession, joking with the audience about ruining the mode when switching between some upbeat electronic tracks to his more piano-heavy tracks diving into deeply personal reflection. A humanising moment came when Grant got up from the piano and walked away only to sit back down and exclaim ‘Grandpa forgot what he was going to do’, receiving a laugh from the audience. The crowd hung on every word, laughter and silence arriving in equal measure.

Musically, the band was tight and understated, giving Grant’s vocal and lyrical performance space to breathe. Subtle synth arpeggios, sharp electronic pulses and piano flourishes wove together into a soundscape that felt both intimate and cinematic. There were moments where the room felt more like a theatre than a concert hall, especially during quieter songs where you could hear the hush fall over the crowd.

Finishing the set with second album classic ‘GMF’ felt like an appropriate closer for a near 2-hour set. This may be one of the longest sets from any artist we’ve seen at their own gig but this increased time gave Grant the space to handpick a multitude of songs from his back catalog. A live music experience not to be forgotten. 

Photos courtesy of Jamie MacMillan