The heat inside Lido in Berlin feels like a group of ballroom dancers has just left the building to make space for tonight’s crowd. The stained red ceiling is hung with crystal chandeliers and a disco ball. Ryan Beatty is styled for the occasion in an all-black tuxedo suit. His five-piece band, dressed casually, takes the edge off, giving the space some much-needed informality. Nothing about the setup hints at the American singer’s newly found love for country and Americana-inspired music.
The lead single from his latest album, Sweet Fortune, is chosen to open the show. ‘Secret Language’ has the crowd dialled in from the very first word. Ryan’s voice is compelling and present in the room, demanding the crowd’s attention. It’s the best choice to start the show, blending everything that awaits us into one song: romantic, country-tinged indie pop with strong Americana and folk influences. While he does an excellent job bringing the song to life, we’d hoped the euphoric harmonica and warm horns from the studio version would make it onto the stage.
‘White Lightning’ hits the sweet spot, presenting country-like instrumentation without ever overdoing it. The way the twangy, guitar-led sound manages to stay moody makes it the perfect partner for Ryan’s effortless melodic flow. On ‘Virtuoso’, there is no holding back on the country vibes. The up-tempo number starts and finishes with a guitar solo. The sharp, rapid guitar playing transports you straight to the rural Southern and Western United States. Just like on the studio version, the band never does too much, allowing each instrument to shine to its fullest. The simplicity makes for a more traditional, folk-inspired country song.
Ryan is not one for a theatrical or expressive stage presence. His storytelling and songwriting get all the attention they deserve, without distractions. The size of the stage feels exactly right for what we’re being presented with tonight. A bigger stage would take away from the intimacy of the words being sung to us. The evening makes it clear that he is a songwriter first, rather than your typical performer dancing and talking their way through the tour. There is barely any talking between songs, no origin stories behind the music being performed, just lyrics written in a way that makes it feel as though he is singing directly to you rather than performing for a crowd.
‘Delancey’ tells the story of the emptiness that follows a hookup when there is no real connection with the person he was with. Substitutes like alcohol and reminiscing about the past become distractions from finding real love and connection. He takes a seat, blending in with his band and giving off the impression that he doesn't want to be seen as he expresses his truth. The moment calls for haunting reverb on the microphone, creating distance between the listener and Ryan. It feels like a painful representation of a brilliant songwriter facing the consequences of having to sing about his experiences night after night. Goosebumps.
“Spotlight simmers on the floor and falls on the ingénue, in powder blue and I watch her from the wings” sets the mood for a big theatrical number. Something about ‘Phantom’ is reminiscent of Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’. Maybe it’s the euphoric build-up of the live instruments, the way his voice keeps layering to sound bigger and fuller, or the moment when the song strips back to just the keys being played. Unlike Queen, Ryan never fully explodes into a big musical spectacle. He stays calm and composed, giving just enough to build the same tension without ever losing his identity.
As the show comes to an end with the ballad ‘Fleur De Lis’, we leave with plenty of moments to think about in the coming days. The way he brings a story to life on ‘White Teeth’ has the crowd locked in, and his crystal-clear falsetto on ‘Annie, Anything’ has them cheering him on at his highest notes. Songs like ‘Bruises Off The Peach’ and ‘Andromeda’ give his band space to go all out, and give his album Calico a moment to shine. Ryan Beatty stays true to himself, despite the expectations that might come with a live show. This is just the way we like him.