Gig review: Olly Alexander at Rough Trade

Up until 2021, Olly Alexander may not have been a household name, but his band, Years & Years, was. Both their debut and sophomore albums charted, producing many radio-friendly hits such as Desire, King, and Shine, to name a few. However, in March of that year, the group disbanded, and Alexander continued under the moniker, later releasing Night Call, his third album. Technically, this was his first ‘solo’ album, but it wasn’t until this year that he fully shed the Years & Years name to release Polari, which is widely considered his true solo debut.

Of course, there’s the elephant in the room - Eurovision. The competition saw Alexander enter with Dizzy, a track from his aforementioned 2025 album. It’s always interesting to hear UK representatives reflect on their Eurovision experience afterwards, ranging from Sam Ryder, whose career it launched, to the likes of Mae Muller and Alexander himself, who shared similar advice: “Make sure you’ve got a good therapist.” 

Alexander’s zero points from the public vote left him in 18th place overall, out of 25 countries. While this wasn’t the result he had hoped for, it provided a perfect bridge between Years & Years and Olly Alexander as a solo artist - though streaming services still brand him as “Olly Alexander (Years & Years)”.

Whether you know him by name or still associate him with Years & Years, Polari is an album well worth your time. Produced by Danny L Harle, formerly of the PC Music collective (and who also produced a portion of Dua Lipa’s latest full-length), the record leans heavily into 80s influences while seeing Alexander at his most experimental, despite treading familiar ground. Anyone who watched Channel 4’s It’s a Sin will recognise that this album shares the same era as the show, with Alexander once again delving into queer history. The album’s title references a form of slang once spoken by queer communities - described as “the code language gay men used to survive.”

An intriguing producer pairing, a compelling concept, and an undeniably talented vocalist and performer - but Eurovision seemingly took a huge hit on Alexander’s budget. Admitting that the staging put him into debt with his label, he revealed on a recent podcast that Polari will be his final album under his current contract, meaning the label had little involvement in the creative process.

This may explain why his tour is slightly scaled down, with fewer shows in smaller venues, hence the ‘Up Close and Polari’ tour. However, this was eclipsed by an even more intimate announcement: four record store shows during the album’s release week, held in venues with just 150-person capacities, including Nottingham’s Rough Trade.

The seven-song set (or eight, if you count a brief cover of Breathe, which is currently going viral online) primarily featured acoustic renditions of Polari tracks, with Alexander seated at a keyboard. He described the experience as a full-circle moment, reminiscent of how he began his career. For those of us in the room, it felt like witnessing something truly special, despite lacking the high production value of a traditional Years & Years show.

“Last time I came here, it was at the Motorpoint Arena, and I went into debt to put that show on,” Alexander quipped. Anyone expecting his biggest hits may have been surprised, but for those familiar with Polari, hearing deeper cuts like Make Me a Man, Dizzy, Archangel, When We Kiss, and Whisper in the Waves was far from disappointing. In fact, this felt like a night for dedicated fans - people who already knew these songs, despite the album being out for only a few days. 

Many criticised his "weak vocals" during Eurovision, but seeing him live leaves no room for doubt about his talent. Perhaps he had an off night, wasn’t feeling well, or was distracted by the overwhelming staging. Whatever the reason, there’s no questioning Alexander’s vocal ability; he is one of the best live vocalists I have ever witnessed. Stripped of fancy staging and flashing lights, his talent is even more apparent. Seated behind a keyboard, alone on stage, he is simply captivating.

Beyond his talent, this setting also revealed his warmth and humility. He interacted with fans as if they were old friends, and his gratitude was evident in the moments between songs. Toward the end of the set, he included a reading from a play he wrote while recording the album, further proof of his multimedia talent, as anyone familiar with his acting work would expect.

While there was no signing session at this show, there was a Q & A where ticket holders had submitted questions in advance. Following this, to close the night, he treated us to one more track - arguably his biggest song, King, from Communion, the Years & Years debut. While it remains one of his best, hearing it alongside Polari’s songs highlighted that his artistry hasn’t diminished over the years. The newer material may lack the towering choruses of his earlier work, but it is more authentic and truer to Alexander than ever before. Polari feels like a pivotal moment in his career, something he himself acknowledged during the Q & A.

With his record deal set to expire after this album cycle and hints during interviews that more acting could be on the horizon, one thing is certain - his dedicated fanbase will support him no matter what, every step of the way.

Olly Alexander performed at Rough Trade on 10th February 2025.