Loyle Carner is home. At the first of four sold-out shows at the O2 Academy Brixton, the London musician is characteristically confessional, paying homage to his loved ones as he tours his fourth album, hopefully!. Since his Mercury-nominated debut Yesterday’s Gone (2017), Carner’s poetic lyricism has defined a critically acclaimed discography, and he has steadily become a voice of honesty and introspection. His recent album, released in June of this year, sees the 31-year-old, now a father of two, canvass his experience balancing fatherhood and his music career.
Such an intimate theme is the centrepiece of the tour’s first hometown show– one that is filled with gratitude. After an energetic warmup from American rapper Navy Blue, Carner seems just as excited as the audience, who promptly erupt as he comes out. From the very beginning of the set, which opens with ‘in my mind’ and ‘all i need’, two of hopefully!’s singles, Carner shines the spotlight on his band, with whom he collaborated on the album. Introducing them as “some of my closest friends,” he makes sure to focus less on the album’s release, and more on the joys of creating it– in an April interview with Billboard, he explains his approach to recording the album: “I was able to get to the point where I’m lucky to be able to enjoy it.”
This sentiment rings true on stage, Carner appears to enjoy the set just as much, if not more than anyone else — through an ostensibly faultless performance, he makes sure to relish his homecoming. The setlist combines hopefully! with some earlier work, seemingly revisiting each and every feeling he has poured into his music. Take for example ‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’, from his 2022 album Hugo, which he plays around halfway through the evening. Carner is kinetic as he airs his struggles with his mixed-race identity and his paternal relationship. Raised by his mother and stepfather, he reconnected with his biological father in 2020, which he designates as the inspiration for the album.
This vulnerability is the lifeblood of Carner’s music, and he excels in conveying it to a live audience. Bear in mind, expressing this to thousands of people takes guts, and to do so with such conviction captivates the venue throughout, not just during more popular songs like ‘Ottolenghi’ or ‘Damselfly.’ This is complemented by Carner’s soulful musical style, which, especially with a live band, is dynamic, but never distracts from his lyrics. Alongside his trademark laid-back rapping style, Carner tries his hand singing on hopefully!, which gives his performance an added dimension of expression.
Carner’s growth on the album extends beyond musical development— the penultimate number of the evening is ‘about time’, hopefully!’s contemplative final track. In which, Carner reflects on being a good father for his children: “they say my son needs a father, haha / Not a rapper, can I give him what he’s after?”. On stage, he reiterates this priority, telling the crowd: “my kids are maybe… not maybe, definitely the best thing in my life.” To reflect on his vulnerability and celebrate where his journey has taken him, Carner perhaps embodies the role model he hopes to be for his children. He’s truly a natural on stage and yet remains grounded.
At the end of the set he reappears, politely asking if he can perform a poem, as if he hasn’t left the crowd hanging on his every word, such humility is what makes his performance that bit more magical.
Image Credits: Hugh Shilson