Welcomed back with a run of sell-out shows and a spot at Splendour, Loyle Carner has set foot on Australian soil again for the first time in five years.
Returning with two new albums under his belt (2022's 'Hugo' and 2019's 'Not Waving, But Drowning'), the sold-out performance at Melbourne's Palais Theatre scratched all the itches that had been forming for the past years.The night began with the foyer of the Palais quickly being overrun with excited punters, long stretching lines queued for what little merch was left being the last leg of the tour.
Bringing a truly shined performance toured extensively across the UK, Carner made sure to deliver more than just another rap show, as he brought along some friendly faces for the ride, with the night opening with the sounds of Kojaque.
With this his debut Australian tour, the Irish experimental rapper took to the grand stage while audience members still filtered in.
The seating at the Palais may have stopped some punters from joining in the fun, but a small but obvious group of fans tried their luck against security, making their way out of their seats and to the front.
The room was filled with a soulful and laid-back vibe for the better part of Kojaque's set, the crowd's bobbing heads in sync as songs flowed over them.
At times the pace was picked up, with the rapper dashing back and forth over the stage bringing a more upbeat and American-sounding trap sound.
In a set contrasted with booming hip hops beats and mellow soundscapes, the Irishman thanked Carner for having him at the show and along for the tour, playing a track the headliner had a mutual love for, 'No Hands', before finishing the set with one last excitable track and an extended round of applause given from the crowd.
In a world of mumble rap and played-out drill music, Loyle Carner provides a much needed breath of fresh air from what has become the norm in hip hop.
With a clear focus on storytelling, purpose and emotion, the English MC manages to cut through and deliver thought-provoking stories and messages to loving and receptive audiences.
His second of two Melbourne shows brought the most excited and passionate of fans. At multiple times throughout the night, the thunderous roar of cheers forced a pause in the set, the rapper burying his head in palms, struck by disbelieving gratitude.
Crowd vocals took the lead in feature choruses, notably 'Loose Ends', 'Damselfly' and 'Still', the rapper confessing 'Still' to be his favourite and most vulnerable song.
With most of Loyle's music being sampled instrumentals, it was amazing to see an accompanying live band at his back.
Full with keys, drums, guitars, decks and horns, each song flourished in its own distinct way bringing a truly 'live' feel to the show. The band was incredibly tight and it was awesome to see such incredible musicianship onstage.
Able to flex his lyrical ability, the MC started a few songs a capella style – leading with the first rhymes and letting the band join in when they wished. The crowd fell deadly silent during these moments, absorbing the words like they were gospel.
While the Palais had a strict 'no dancing in the isles' policy, a call to come forward got the better of the crowd. Without hesitation, the isles and front of the theatre floor were packed, punters squished as everyone clambered to get to the front.
Unleashing the raucous crowd with 'Ain't Nothing Changed', Carner showed love to the security with well meaning but nevertheless cheeky apologies to security. "Thank you, thank you for listening to my stories."
Carner shared his feelings and story behind his latest project and title track, 'HGU'. Reminiscing about his late father, their little time spent together and the breaking of the generational trauma that had been left behind, the room filled with beautiful melancholy as the track's luscious soundscapes filled the room.
Reeling from another round of mountainous applause, fans were left to revel in the night's final track, 'Ottolenghi' as the crowd delivered the final lines of the night, shortly before serenading the band with wolf whistles as they left the stage.
Instilling a forever-positive message and meaning through his words and his art, Carner left the crowd with some provoking phrase: "Take these words, and go forward."
