The Red Marquee was incredibly crowded, as the rain became the heaviest it’s been at Fuji Rock so far this year. But it was clear as Tom Odell entered that the vast majority were not just seeking cover from the elements but were clear fans of the talented piano-playing singer-songwriter. He kicked off the set with his strongest parts, a melancholy piano and piercing voice, pain etched in every rise of tone and tailing word. Other instruments introduced themselves together, with harsh acoustic providing a perfect background to the defiant love song about growing old together.

Tom then took the opportunity to briefly show his piano credentials, with a dramatic classical piano line. From here, his strong tormented vocals gradually rose into half a scream, as the bass and drums provided some rock and roll influence that grows with the piano line. Frantic piano soloing gradually died down, as the song ended with slow gloom. Lyrics of the next song fitted the weather perfectly, as he crooned about the rain falling. It was a sentiment the audience could get behind, especially with Tom’s aching voice and piano.  

Up next was a Beatles piano-led rock and roll cover of ‘Get Back’, bringing back the energy to the crowd after the sadness of the opening songs. The well known ‘Another Love’ proved to be a highlight of the set as a mainly solo song for Tom. One man and his piano fixated the huge crowd, the tortured sadness of the song slowly but surely turning to forlorn anger. Tom’s greatest strength was not only his sheer emotiveness but also his ability to weave emotion from simple, everyday activities.

A tumult of piano bass keys broke into a love song with the electric guitar providing a blanket of distortion to cradle the piano notes. But it was the final song, simultaneously raging with and against love, piano dancing around the bass, incorporating guitar and piano solos that ended off the set. Tom pounded at the keys with increasing desperation, eventually tipping over his piano seat as he stood in desperation. But it was with this last release of emotion that he ended the set, the perfect catharsis for anyone who has ever loved or been loved.