A 20th anniversary tribute to Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" album took place at London's Roundhouse, featuring producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi alongside singers Jorja Smith, Lianne La Havas and Corinne Bailey Rae recreating tracks from the 2003 release. The Guardian's review found the all-star reinterpretation uneven.
The concert paired full recreations of the album with performances by Winehouse's former band playing lesser-known tracks and covers. According to the review, the band's precision fell short without Winehouse's presence. "Without her animating fandom, a cover of Monkey Man by Toots and the Maytals is just a cover of Monkey Man by Toots and the Maytals," the review stated, noting the absence of what made her distinctive: "her playfulness, bite, anarchic charisma and taste."
The main album recreation staged by the producers drew stronger response, yet the event faced structural obstacles. The Guardian noted the concert was "primarily staged for a BBC TV show, which means the flow is broken by onstage interviews and hagiographical patter from Jo Whiley." The review found the constant on-air commentary intrusive. "It's a little grating to be constantly told that a concert is amazing even as it unfolds, but that's TV for you," it read.
Winehouse died 15 years ago. The review suggested that tribute concerts struggle against the weight of memory when the originating artist possessed singular taste and charisma. Her eclecticism across soul, jazz, hip-hop, two-tone and 60s girl groups stemmed from genuine fandom rather than production direction. Attempting to recreate that foundation through assembled vocalists highlighted what remained inimitable about her version.