Pharrell Williams arrived on stage in Camden having made UK chart history. Last year’s feel-good hit Happy is officially the most downloaded track ever, with 1.6 million sales.
While Pharrell is the man of the moment, support act Jungle’s time has also come. The west London band’s self-titled debut album of future funk and psychedelic soul made the Mercury Prize shortlist only two hours before this show and their urgent performance sounded even better than the record. They also pulled off the tricky feat of playing keyboard and dancing at the same time.
Pharrell, 41, was a more laid-back presence alongside a decent band and half a dozen dancers in cut-off denim. He even appeared unmoved when one grabbed his crotch during slinky funk tune Hunter. However, the US hit-maker gradually stirred himself for his belated solo stardom.
iTunes Festival: Pharrell Williams at the Roundhouse
He moved with feline grace, serenaded screaming fans in the front row and revived N*E*R*D, his breakout band, for bracing renditions of Rock Star and Lapdance.
As songwriter to the stars, Pharrell was also in the unique position of being able to cover hits he had a claim on, including Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines. A song that became controversial for its sexism seemed, in Pharrell’s hands, a mostly harmless slice of undemanding R&B that set up an irresistible finale.
He was genuinely emotional about the delirious reaction to Daft Punk’s Get Lucky (“this is what love feels like”), and the evening ended on a high with Happy, the simple, summery song with a unique pop potency that never fails to get everyone dancing.
Perhaps Pharrell didn’t need to repeatedly thank the technology giant behind the festival (“we’re celebrating Apple tonight whether you like it or not”). But then he’s got 1.6 million reasons to be grateful.
Pharrell plays at the O2 Arena 9-10 October (0208 463 2000, theo2.co.uk)
