Paloma Faith captivates crowd at American Express Platinum Cashback Gig

Platinum-selling recording artist Paloma Faith mesmerised the crowd at London’s Union Chapel as she played a beautiful live acoustic set at the first ever ‘American Express Platinum Cashback Gig’ last night, accompanied by a grand piano and a string quartet.

Returning to the venue, where she first played as an aspiring 14-year-old songstress, the flame haired singer performed 12 songs, mostly from her platinum selling album ‘Fall To Grace,’ including ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ and latest single ‘Just Be.’ Faith closed the set with fan favourite ‘Picking Up The Pieces,’ which was met with a standing ovation from the audience. After performing these songs across the UK on her recent tour, Faith wanted to treat fans to brand new arrangements of her popular hits which have never been heard before.

Paloma Faith says: “I wanted to do something special for the first ‘Platinum Cashback Gig’ so we took a bit of a risk and pulled in a classic string quartet and a beautiful old piano. I’ve never done this particular set up before, so that was an exciting challenge for me and tonight felt fantastic. Really special. I’m glad that everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and I’m obviously thrilled that we are able to support War Child at such an important time.”

Embracing her reputation for theatrical stage costume, Faith, who opened her set with ‘Let Your Love Walk In,’ took to the stage channelling Michelle Pfeiffer in 1992’s ‘Batman Returns.’ Draped in a backless, asymmetrical jumpsuit by Ashish that revealed her bird-in-flight tattoos, Faith looked every bit the Hollywood siren in black sequins crowned with a black patent headscarf. Paying tribute to the jazz divas that went before her, Faith seduced the audience with sweeping theatrical hand gestures and a well-received jazz arrangement of the Billie Holliday classic ‘God Bless The Child.’ 

American Express hosted the ‘Cashback Gig’ in celebration of the generous cashback rewards earned with its Platinum Cashback Card. All ticketholders who attended the sold out gig were given their ‘cashback’ on the £30 ticket price in the form of a £30 American Express Gift Card® which they could then choose to keep and spend on the things they enjoy or donate to international charity, War Child. 
 

The hotly tipped 18-year-old Scottish singer Nina Nesbitt supported Paloma Faith on stage with a set accompanied only by her guitar. The blonde chanteuse held the crowd in silent awe for a full half hour with her powerful Celtic vocals and unassuming stage presence. Nesbitt thanked the audience for listening so attentively to her self-penned songs.

Ben Knowles, Director of Fundraising at War Child says: “Donations like this are vital to securing the future of our work at War Child. We are thrilled to receive such a generous contribution from Paloma’s fans and hugely grateful to American Express for supporting us in this. Each £30 could help get one of the children we work with back to school for an entire year.”

Paloma Faith to play American Express Platinum Cashback Gig

First Ever ‘Cashback Gig’ at Union Chapel on Sunday 3 March 2013

Platinum-selling recording artist Paloma Faith will play a stripped back and acoustic set at the first ever ‘American Express Platinum Cashback Gig’ at the iconic Union Chapel in London on Sunday 3 March at 7pm.

In celebration of the generous cashback rewards earned with its Platinum Cashback Cards, American Express is staging this intimate show with a difference. All ticketholders attending the 750 capacity gig will be given their ‘cashback’ on the £30 ticket price in the form of a £30 American Express Gift Card® which they can then choose to keep or donate to international charity, War Child to help continue their work overseas.

The intimate gig comes in the middle of Paloma Faith’s  ‘Fall To Grace’ Tour and hot on the heels her second album, Fall To Grace, which secured her position among the leading British female vocalists. Fall To Grace was certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry in late 2012, making it the singer’s second album to achieve the coveted platinum status. The album, preceded by Top 10 hit ‘Picking Up The Pieces,’ peaked at number 2 on the UK album chart and earned Faith two Brit Award nominations for British Female Solo Artist and British Album Of The Year.

Paloma Faith says: “I started out singing in cabaret clubs and believe there is no better way to connect with people through my music than performing live. The Platinum Cashback Gig is a really interesting concept from American Express and War Child plays such an important role making a real difference in the world today so hopefully we can make areal difference at Union Chapel.”

All money collected on the night, along with an additional £10,000 which American Express is donating, will help War Child continue its work of providing life-changing support to the most vulnerable children whose families, communities and schools have been torn apart by war. War Child’s projects deliver protection, education and a better future to children hit hardest by war.

Ben Knowles, Director of Fundraising at War Child says: “Music is crucial in helping War Child raise awareness of issues facing children in war and the money to do something about it. We are excited to be working with Paloma Faith and American Express as part of the Platinum Cashback Gig. Each £30 could help get one of the children we work with back to school for an entire year. That is a life-saving, life-changing impact – giving a child the hope and skills to build a better future for themselves. We’re looking forward to what promises to be a great night.”

Tickets for the American Express Platinum Cashback Gig will be on sale from Friday 22 February 2013 at ticketmaster.co.uk/cashbackgig. Tickets are available subject to availability and limited to 4 per person.