After setting up at the University of Nottingham back in 2009, London Grammar returned to the city for their first arena gig...
Just over a decade after forming in this fair city, London Grammar returned for their biggest gig in Nottingham yet - and it felt like a proper homecoming. From the moment the lights dimmed and the atmospheric bass of Californian Soil started to reverberate through Motorpoint Arena, there was a real sense that something special was about to take place. As it turns out, that’s exactly what happened.
Hardly known for high-tempo, upbeat musical numbers, you’d be forgiven for thinking that London Grammar might struggle to suit the arena setting - the type of venue that begs for banging beats to get pulses racing and people dancing. Yet the group made the most of their more lively tunes like Baby It’s You and Wasting My Young Years to get the crowd going. By the time the show was brought to a close with Lose Your Head, the standing area had very much become the jumping area, as the magic of London Grammar’s talent - from the enchanting vocals to the flawless instrumental work of Dot Major and Dan Rothman - cast a spell on everyone in the crowd.
The band’s slower, more personal moments were perhaps their most impactful, though. Stripping back the scale meant the audience could focus even more on the unbelievable voice of lead singer Hannah Reid, who delivered pitch perfect notes that shouldn’t be humanly possible. Watching Reid smash complicated vocal numbers like Hell to the Liars with such extraordinary ease, it’s difficult to think of another singer on the planet who can match her phenomenal range right now. She truly is a generational talent, and getting the chance to see her perform live is an exceptional experience.
It wasn’t just the music that was impressive; the visuals were equally immersive. Vibrant, dynamic lighting choices helped to hammer home the more up-tempo tunes, with immersive strobe lighting making certain performances feel more like a rave as electric energy swept across the crowd. And a giant backing screen was adorned with stunning visuals for the more intimate moments, with certain songs underpinned by creative narratives that played out behind the band.
Credit should be given to support artist Eloise, too. As she admitted herself towards the end of her set, it’s not always easy being the warm-up, but for the opening half-hour of the night she made the stage her own. Boasting her own remarkable vocal range, and unique, intoxicating singing style, this rising star from the capital wowed from her very first note - and her enjoyable back-and-forth with the crowd helped to lift spirits ahead of the main act’s entrance.
Throughout this memorable event, each member of London Grammar spoke about the importance of this homecoming gig - and they did not disappoint on their return. On the city’s biggest stage, in front of their biggest solo audience in the city so far, this one-of-a-kind three-piece from the University of Nottingham cemented themselves as one of the city’s finest ever products.
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