Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner — who you may know as his stage name ‘Loyle Carner’ — ventured over to O2 Academy Birmingham on the 21st of November for the 25th stop of his hopefully tour, named after his fourth studio album. Coming on stage at 9:30pm, he began the night with the album’s lead single ‘all i need’. Opting for a full band to accompany him on stage, as opposed to the more widely used backing track, Carner’s show was an immersive experience for all in the crowd.

The South London artist continued to make his way through the new record’s track list, playing ‘in my mind’ next: a slower track that captured the attention of the crowd, as they swayed and sang along in unison. Despite its size, Loyle Carner was able to build a feeling of intimacy and comfort in the venue. Only a few spotlights were used to illuminate the space, shining down on the rapper and his band, demanding the attention of those watching. All but one of these lights then dimmed, making room for a beautiful piano solo to end the song — perks of a live band, I guess. And I am definitely not complaining. Carner then took some time to welcome his Brum fans, already thanking them for their energy and enthusiasm just two songs into the gig.

Before having gone to the show, I was apprehensive on Carner’s performance ability. One cannot deny that he is a talented artist – he has the decade-long career to prove it — however I still feared leaving the O2 Academy slightly bored. Due to the nature of his music and the niche that he has carved for himself in the rap genre, Loyle Carner’s music is not exactly the most upbeat and, with it just being him and his band on the stage, the show ran the risk of not being all that captivating. Thankfully, I was wrong. My apologies, Mr Coyle-Larner, for ever doubting you. Carner was able to confidently command the O2 stage; he had a stage presence that negated the need of backup dancers or extra vocalists alongside. Even during his poetry reading, which he performed towards the end of the night, the crowd remained entranced by him.

Carner did not employ the use of much crowd work — using it only when necessary to add context to the new album’s tracks. Many of the songs off of hopefully were inspired by the rapper’s children, whom he mentioned continuously throughout the night, with them even featuring on songs ‘about time’ and ‘in my mind’. This minimal approach seemed to pay off; the crowd’s energy remained electric throughout the whole show, with Carner even noting that ‘tonight feels like there’s magic in here.’

For me, the most notable aspect of the night was the live band. In the second half of the show, Carner also included a mesmerising saxophone solo — a moment that cannot be created in a pre-recorded audio. Their music filled the room, wrapping around the audience like a warm embrace. The energy of the venue was a topic much talked about by Loyle throughout the night and I think the live band helped bring that energy to life.

As well as tracks from his latest album, Loyle also performed a few cult-classic songs of his from his earlier projects including ‘Ice Water’, ‘Still’, and ‘Damselfly’, all of which were welcomed with screaming cheers from the audience. Songs like these laid the foundation for the flourishing career that Carner now has today; they were my introduction to his music and I have held the songs close to my heart ever since. From the crowd’s reception, I doubt that I am alone in this sentiment.

Loyle Carner is hardly an up-and-coming artist. He has been in this industry for over a decade and has honourably built a core fanbase in that time, a core fan base who continue to show out for him on nights like this in Birmingham. There were few people in the O2 Academy that night who did not know every lyric to every song performed. Unlike some popular artists of today, Loyle never really had a viral moment on social media that propelled his career and expanded his audience. Instead, Loyle has patiently perfected his craft and sound, with the recognition and admiration following in due time. This patience paid off. And this night was proof. In Loyle Carner’s own words, that night was ‘the best show we’ve ever played in Birmingham’.

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