A beautiful journey of vulnerability and self-reflection: Loyle Carner live in concert

O2 Academy, Birmingham, 20 November 2025

Rich golds and deep oranges envelop the stage as the live band bursts into the smooth, intoxicating tones Loyle Carner is famous for. Gripping the large audience almost instantly, the original screams of excitement from the crowd fall into an entranced focus, preparing for the musical journey ahead. From the first beat of the opening song to the very last clap of the final applause, the deep and emotional nature of each performance pairs perfectly with the rhythmic and groovy environment generated from the many instrumentalists, creating an intimate and beautiful connection between each individual audience member and the musicians on stage. With the opening notes of each song, the hubbub disappears, and all eyes are set on Loyle Carner.

The sense of anticipation is palpable, alongside the relief of no longer being outside in the freezing cold

The warm but insightful tones are a very welcome occurrence on the frosty Thursday evening in Birmingham. The venue itself, the O2 Academy, consists of a single main room filled with a lively crowd, feeling full, but not cramped. The sense of anticipation is palpable, alongside the relief of no longer being outside in the freezing cold. A deep purple is the only colour coming from the stage, drawing the crowd towards it in preparation for the opening act, Rejjie Snow.

Supporting any artist is always a challenging experience, trying to connect with a crowd who don’t necessarily know who you are or like the sounds you create, but Alexander Anyaegbunam, the Irish rapper better known as Rejjie Snow, brings a remarkable level of energy to an otherwise unsuspecting audience. Between his impressive crowd work and infectious upbeat nature on stage, even the most hesitant of audience members are swaying to the beat by the end. There is no need for dramatic lighting or a flashy show, with his rhythmic flows and contagious dancing, Snow’s presence fills the stage. His music perfectly matches the vibe that a Loyle Carner opener should, complimenting but not infringing on the main act’s signature sounds.

The impact of the full live band elevated the experience of the gig to new heights

With the audience successfully warmed up, both physically and sonically, it is time for the main event: Loyle Carner did not disappoint. The impact of the full live band elevated the experience of the gig to new heights. For many hip-hop artists, it’s a solo performance, with the backing played underneath digitally, but to have a full entourage of fantastic musicians surrounding the vocalist creates a beautiful soundscape, a physical manifestation of Loyle Carner’s vibe. The drummer’s fast and groovy rhythms cleanly aligned with both the bassist and guitarist’s comfortable and expressive sounds, alongside a beautiful piano and a mix of other instruments for different songs perfecting the live backing. Each instrument is also given their own room to breathe, with focus shifting between them in different solos and instrumental sections, including an elegant piano solo, perfectly transitioning between ‘horcrux’ and ‘Desoleil’.

With the initial orange and gold lighting transitioning to a deep blue hue as the songs move between albums, helping to convey the shift from the joyful pieces relating themes of fatherhood, personal growth and finding peace found in Hopefully!, to more introspective tracks about identity, vulnerability and intimacy of projects like Not Waving, But Drowning. But no matter the colours of the lights or the content of the lyrics, the warm and personal feeling of the experience remained. All of this comes to a head with the song ‘Lyin’, where, before beginning, Carner says, “this song is the scariest one for me to sing”, going on to enlighten the audience with an anecdote of a conversation he had with his mother about the difficulty of performing personal and meaningful music to a live audience. This is then perfected by the last chorus of the song, which the audience sings so strongly that he takes out his in-ears and sits, soaking in the moment.

An emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a cozy blanket

The beautiful transition between ‘Loose Ends’ and ‘Ice Water’ shows the careful planning put into such a seamless performance; ‘Ottolenghi’ acts as a perfect outro to a perfect evening. The cold outside no longer feels so piercing, as the warmth of the experience emanates from all who attended. An emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a cozy blanket – a truly unique concert, and one that will remain in memories forever.

★★★★