Music
Review
James Blake played London and it was incredible
He warmed up for the Kendrick Lamar tour with an intimate Roundhouse show.
Alongside two of his childhood friends, producer and songwriter James Blake took to London’s Roundhouse for a comparably intimate seated show, testing out new material ahead of his huge UK tour in support of stateside rapper and collaborator Kendrick Lamar.
Blake’s performance saw him move from isolated piano, where he delivered haunting renditions of Don McLean’s Vincent and Frank Ocean’s Godspeed, to keyboards, and ultimately to the centre of the stage. Here he showcased new material, from recent singe If The Car Beside You Moves Ahead to the soon-to-be summer anthem I Can’t Believe The Way We Flow.
The spectacular evening, dominated by Blake’s delicate vocals and electronic experimentation, combined his music with mind-melting lighting; the extra special atmosphere cemented by the venues perfect sound.
Concluding the set with Lul Bye, which Blake dedicated to a commenter on YouTube who claimed his music makes listeners fall asleep, the evening showcased the London raised musician at his most vulnerable. He confidently restarted songs momentarily let down by temperamental equipment, which only added to the evening’s living room feel.
If anything, it was only a snapshot of things to come once he hits the road with Kendrick Lamar, which will see him transfer the newly honed songs to arenas across the country.
Here’s what fans made of the brilliant London show:
This guy knows.
James Blake could be the best musician of my generation
— spky (@buoysdontcry) February 6, 2018
Everyone felt all the feels.
.@jamesblake at @RoundhouseLDN last night. Still crying now pic.twitter.com/fDbwmxuYOK
— Alex Pleasants (@alexpleasants) February 6, 2018
The new stuff sounds incredible.
@jamesblake having heard that “asking for a friend” song twice last night it is burnt into my mind today (in a good way), can’t wait to hear it again!
— Will Price (@willjsprice) February 6, 2018
Kendrick and James Blake? Yes please.
James Blake was on incredible form last night, feel like with him + Kendrick it’s truly a week of the greats!
— Dan Alani (@danalani) February 6, 2018
There’s no remedy.
I’m still recovering from how out of this world James Blake was last night
— emma kelly (@emmakelly_uk) February 6, 2018
Bringing people together.
Instant friendship if you listen to James Blake
— mo (@POUHUPMO) February 6, 2018
The best gig he’s ever been to.
Saw James Blake for the fifth time tonight and it may well be the best gig I’ve ever been to
— Jake Miller (@jakemiller10) February 5, 2018
Catch James Blake support Kendrick Lamar on the following dates:
7 February 2018 – 3Arena, Dublin
9 February 2018 – Genting Arena, Birmingham
10 February 2018 – Manchester Arena, Manchester
11 February 2018 – SSE Hydro, Glasgow
12 February 2018 – The O2, London
13 February 2018 – The O2, London
20 February 2018 – The SSE Arena Wembley, London
Remaining tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.