The Borderline - 10 November, 2011
Kelly Clarkson rocked the The Borderline - one of London's most intimate live music venues - last night at a free last-minute gig, thrown together by the artist and Sony Music in just two days.
The singer played tracks from new album Stronger and her impressive back catalogue to a small group of fans and guests, while chatting freely about life and music.
Fresh from her Country Music Association award win this week for Musical Event of the Year, she said: "I woke up this morning and I was like... 'whatevahhhhh!!!' I was so excited." She also explained her bandaged hand, which apparently was the result of a disastrous tea spill earlier in the day.
Kelly opened the set with Dark Side and Miss Independent before breaking into a stirring rendition of Walk Away, where she grabbed the mic and belted out the chorus in proper Kelly Clarkson style.
"I love this show," she yelped as she chatted with audience members and signed CDs. She took song requests from fans throughout the show, kneeling down to let them sing along with her.
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Kelly tweeted about getting a tattoo earlier in the day - her thirteenth - and fans couldn't resist asking for a sneaky peak. She laughed and said she wasn't going to flash any skin, but "it's morse code for 'What Doesn't Kill You'", a track from her latest album.
She also had a laugh as she took a swig from her cocktail while introducing Sober and despite the irony of singing the track in a club while drinking vodka, it made for one of the most gripping performances of the night. It was hard not be floored when she screamed the song's emotional refrain - utterly captivating.
She introduced You Love Me - from her new album Stronger - as "my favourite song I've ever recorded" and also performed the album's lead single, Mr Know It All, calling it her "sassy single".
Kelly broke up the performance with covers, including renditions of Carrie Underwood's soulful ballad I Know You Won't and White Stripes' rock anthem, Seven Nation Army.
She and her seven-piece band closed the gig to much applause with My Life Would Suck Without You, while sporting union jack sunglasses. It was an epic end to an intimate night of pop with America's sincerest pop star. I may have just fallen in love.
Kelly Clarkson's set list:
Dark Side
Miss Independent
Walk Away
Stronger
Sober
Breakaway
Since You've Been Gone
I Know You Won't (Carrie Underwood cover)
You Love Me
Judas
Mr. Know It All
Seven Nation Army (White Stripes cover)
Because Of You
Behind These Hazel Eyes
Gone
Never Again
My Life Would Suck Without You
Rating: 4 / 5
Check out Kelly Clarkson's artist profile
Watch the video for Mr Know It All
