OneRepublic, the O2 - music review: 'distinctly American with a British undertow'

"How y’doin’ up there at altitude?" OneRepublic leader Ryan Tedder asked of the O2's top tier. He seemed a little put out by the muted response. Then again, said area was curtained off and deserted but for two spotlight operatives.

Tedder’s lack of observational skills worked in his band’s favour, for the Coloradans behaved as if the venue was heaving. Despite Tedder’s alternative career as a producer and songwriter for Adele, Beyoncé, James Blunt and Ellie Goulding, Taylor Swift and U2 amongst many others, OneRepublic are on the up. Their third and current album, Native, was their first to reach the British and American Top 10.

They sounded unmistakably American, but Tedder apparently has family in Bath and they had a distinctly British undertow. They covered Sam Smith’s Stay With Me and George Ezra’s Budapest (adding little to either, in truth), but there were hints of re-formed era Take That; a more jolly Coldplay (the drum-heavy Love Runs Out clattered like Viva La Vida) or Alt-J on the xylophone/cello/violin infused Secrets. When they stomped, though, on the boisterous Counting Stars and Stop & Stare, the euphoric rush was very much their own.

As a frontman, Tedder merged an easy-going charm with ruthless vocal precision, especially when he unleashed his near-operatic wail. Moreover, his songs were strong and they’re getting stronger. Last night’s venue might have been too big for OneRepublic and their stage set was certainly too small: next time around the fit will surely be less awkward.