Emeralds are forever

Birmingham dates for Dutch singing star.

As Adele announces two Birmingham gigs next March to support the release of 25, Britain’s fastest selling album of all time, you won’t have to wait that long for a singer with similar dramatic ballad style.

Caro Emerald, dubbed ‘the Dutch Adele’ after her debut album, Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor, spent 27 weeks at number one in her native country in 2010, is playing Symphony Hall on December 7th and 8th.

No stranger to Birmingham, having performed at the same venue in 2011 and 2013 and then in front of 6,000 at the National Indoor Arena last year, the 33-year old is supporting her new single Quicksand.

Caro’s first double date in the city is little surprise given the success of her second album, The Shocking Miss Emerald, which entered the UK chart at No 1 and remained in the chart for an entire year.

The Amsterdam Conservatory trained vocalist, whose real name is Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw, has fashioned her own niche blending retro jazz and soul with modern pop.
With ‘shocking’ scarlet lipstick and matching plunging satin dress, her sensual style and performance are a throwback to the classy jazz joints of the 1930s.
‘Clear the way boys, the lady has arrived,’ she announced with typical bombast recently on Twitter.

Caro’s Cinderella-like route to fame began in 2007 when she was asked by the producer Jan van Wieringen to sing a guide vocal on a demo track called Back It Up.
So well did she sing that Van Wieringen didn’t bother finding another vocalist as Back It Up became a hit on YouTube and Caro became a star.

Since then she has sung about non-too serious subjects ranging from stylish luggage (Pack Up the Louie) to wine-soaked lunches (Liquid Lunch) in a warm, engaging way that’s made her big on Radio 2. She will be supported on stage by London-born soul and jazz singer Andreya Triana, whose second album. Giants, was released last May.

Caro Emerald plays Symphony Hall, Birmingham on December 7th and 8th at 7.30pm. Tickets: 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk