IT'S been quite a journey for Daniel Bedingfield since he made his debut single, Gotta Get Thru This in his bedroom studio, but what a distance he has come.

His style, charisma and energy haven't changed, but his mentors in the industry have certainly done their bit in developing and refining his work.

The Metro Radio Arena was unfortunately only half full, but since they brought the stage closer, it made for an intimate and personal gig.

Clearly affected by his car crash last year, Bedingfield, a devout Christian, opened with album track I Am Alive and its lyrics summed up the next hour-and-a-half as he belted out songs including Nothing Hurts Like Love, Wrap My Words Around You, Don't Give It All and a short song about God. "Sing it like a prayer," he said about the latter. The crowd was not too sure, but it didn't take him long to up the tempo again.

Beat-boxing and the like, he pulled all the stops out to thrill the 5,000-or-so who had come out to see him - James Dean and I Can't Read You were the most memorable tracks.

It was a shame he didn't sing any of the acoustic versions of his songs which grace his first album, but Bedingfield was a performer of the highest standard - one who loves his music, his fans and the opportunity to prance around on stage.

Published: 15/03/2005