Seal Returns to Cologne After More Than a Decade
It had been more than a decade since Seal last performed in Cologne. On a pleasant July evening, the British singer took to the stage at the newly renovated Tanzbrunnen, delivering a 90-minute set in front of few thousand fans.
The show began promptly at 8 p.m. with All I Know Is Now and continued with a cover of Steve Miller Band’s Fly Like an Eagle. Seal has not released a studio album of original material in over a decade, so the current tour largely draws on nostalgia, focusing primarily on songs from the first two albums that established him as a global star in the early 1990s.
Based on the Monday turnout and the audience’s enthusiasm, Seal can still rely on both his classic catalog and his distinctive voice to captivate a crowd.
Storytelling was an important part of the evening, with Seal frequently highlighting his personal connection to Germany. During the third song of the night, Prayer for the Dying, he stepped off the stage and ventured deep into the audience. Rather than remaining in one location, he confidently walked through the packed crowd with minimal security around him. The connection was immediate, erasing the usual distance between performer and audience. Hugs were exchanged, and countless cell phones were raised to capture the memorable moment.
For Deep Water, Seal returned to the stage, followed by Touch, The Loneliest Star, and Life’s What You Make It. During Killer, he once again found himself among the audience, this time for one of the night’s higher-energy performances. Back on stage, he launched into Bring It On before closing the main set with the massive hit Kiss from a Rose.
After a brief pause, Seal returned for an encore. He delivered another of his signature songs, Crazy, before bringing the evening to a close with the gentle and emotional Love’s Divine.
It was a successful return to Cologne, and no review of the evening would be complete without mentioning the outstanding four-piece band that provided the musical foundation for Seal’s unmistakable vocals. The sound mix throughout the night was excellent, allowing every instrument and vocal nuance to come through with remarkable clarity. Among the musicians was the legendary Gail Ann Dorsey on bass, whose presence added yet another layer of prestige to an already memorable performance.
All photos shot from FOH.
Accreditation: Dirk Becker Entertainment
